PETALING JAYA, Jan 6 (Sin Chew Daily) – Health ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said guidelines would be issued soon on the use of staples in food packing.

When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, Noor Hisham admitted that staples were indeed needed in food packing.

“We will issue the guidelines soon.”

He also said the health ministry was still studying the details of using staples in food packing.

In a statement issued on January 4, Noor Hisham reminded food suppliers they could be charged in the court for using staples, nails or other dangerous materials to pack food. Violators could be fined not more than RM10,000 or jailed not more than two years, or both.

Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Stationers & Booksellers Association (SKLSBA) issued a statement on Wednesday urging the health ministry to issue clear guidelines so that operators can pack their food as per the ministry’s requirement.

The association was of the opinion that the health ministry should draw up individual guidelines based on different categories of food instead of banning the use of staples for packing all food.