Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said the action followed a public complaint received on Monday over concerns of possible food contamination at the premises.

“The state health department conducted an immediate inspection upon receiving the complaint and found the cafeteria’s cleanliness unsatisfactory.

“The closure order and compound were issued on the same day in accordance with standard operating procedures on food safety,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Gooi also said the cafeteria operator had been instructed to conduct a thorough cleaning before resuming operations, and that regular monitoring would ensure all food handlers comply with the prescribed hygiene standards.

Images of a cafeteria at a private hospital, reportedly in dirty condition, had gone viral on social media, raising public concern over cleanliness standards at food premises, including those at healthcare facilities.