KUALA MUDA, 31.7.08, (DAY 4): SPECIFIC REPORT

SAMPLING OF FOOD FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSIS

Early preparation starts in DHO on the matter of which premise to check; number, type of sample and type of food to be taken; tools for sampling; and who will be the witness (normally will be one of the staffs). Identification card and money must be prepared for the food (The sample of the food is bought for investigation and it is not 'donated' by the premise).

When we reach at that particular premise, introduction is given and identification card is shown. Then explain about the motive of the visiting.

Then randomly choose the food for sampling and payment is made. For retailer, a receipt is asked. If the sample is taken from a factory or import agent, no payment is made but a letter stating that DHO has taken the particular sample. Each time of sampling, 3 samples are taken randomly (but the same batch of food product). The samples are labelled. 1 sample is for the owner to keep, 1 is for analysis and the other 1 is for keeping in DHO store. This is important in the sense that when the analysed sample failed to meet the standard requirement (parameters), the same will goes to the other 2 samples. In this way, the owner will not be able to accuse DHO of making false or biased analysis. Then sample is then registered in HMIS and sent to Laboratory within 3 days.Once the food is proved to meet the criteria, the 3 samples can be disposed properly.

For microbiological analysis, the steps are the same as above. The only difference is that the sample required is just 1 in number. No sample is given to the owner or to be stored in DHO for reference.