Penang Health Department shuts down a supermarket at a Gurney Drive mall for hygiene violations during a routine inspection.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang State Health Department has temporarily shut down a well-known supermarket at a Gurney Drive mall over hygiene violations uncovered during a routine inspection.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said the closure is part of periodic enforcement efforts to ensure all food premises in the state comply with established food safety and cleanliness standards.
“This was not a special operation, but rather routine enforcement carried out from time to time. Action will be taken against any premises that fail to meet hygiene requirements,” he told reporters after a press conference for the Youth With Rhythm: Rentak Belia Talent Show 2026 at Komtar today.
Earlier, a social media post went viral claiming that a supermarket at Gurney Plaza had been ordered closed until Aug 2 by the health department over cleanliness issues.
Gooi emphasised that the action is not meant to penalise operators, but to protect public health and ensure businesses are operated in a safe and hygienic environment.
“We have also seen several food poisoning cases this year and want to prevent similar incidents from recurring,” he said, adding that he would seek further details from the health department regarding the action taken against the supermarket.
Meanwhile, he said the COVID-19, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and dengue fever situations in Penang remain under control, with all three showing a downward trend.
He said there has been no sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the state so far, refuting viral claims of rising infections in several areas.
Gooi noted that as of Epidemiological Week 26 this year, cumulative COVID-19 cases in Penang had dropped by 59.7% compared to the same period last year, while HFMD cases fell by 86.5%.
He said dengue cases in Penang are also declining. He advised the public to remain vigilant, saying that while the state’s numbers continue to fall, the national trend is rising.
