How Food Businesses in Malaysia Can Stay Pest-Free — And Compliant

1. What Malaysian Food Businesses Must Know About Pest Control Laws

• Food businesses are regulated under Food Act 1983 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. The requirements are that food is prepared and handled in a safe and hygienic environment. Pest control is a mandatory component of the food safety standards.
• Local authorities (KKM) regularly inspect food premises to check for cleanliness and pest issues. Premises with persistent violations will face fines, license suspension, or closure.
• For mobile outlets like food truck or small stalls, hygiene compliance (including pest control) is specifically highlighted under hygiene guidelines for licensing.

2. 🔍 Implement Pest Prevention Practices

• To keep pests away, it doesn’t only take a one- or two-days effort. It requires everyday hygiene practice like regular deep cleaning to minimize the chances of pest infestation. Always clean food preparation areas, storage spaces, drainage, and hard to reach corners to remove residues that attracts pests.
• Dispose food wastes before it overflows. Pests like flies love overflowing bins filled with food wastes. Pests get attracted by the odour easily thus, always keep trash tightly sealed, and clean them often. Do not put bins near entrances as it will attract pest from outdoors.
• At the end of the day, always make sure trash are taken out and the bin is thoroughly cleaned. Pests like to reproduce in places like bins as it provides a sense of security. Flip bins around or close them tightly at the end of the shift, to prevent pests from entering it.

a. Conduct Frequent Monitoring  

• Create a checklist for everyday checking. Check all areas like kitchen, storerooms, dining area routinely for signs of pest activity (droppings/nests/chew marks). If you notice any signs of pest activity, call your pest control specialist immediately.
• Train your team to identify early signs of pests and food hygiene habits.

• Visible pest activity often mean that there's an entry point that should be sealed, including cracks, gaps, vents or windows.
• If you notice pests often enter from the door/entrance of your shop, install door sweeps to prevent them from entering.

• Always store food off the floor and away from walls in airtight containers to prevent smell that attracts pests.
• Avoid storing food in cardboard or plastic and flimsy packaging that pests can easily bite and penetrate.

3. Partner with Professional Pest Control

• We create a regular pest control plan for the whole year.
• E-reports and service reports are provided instantly. These documents are important during health inspections, audits, and internal reviews to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
• We conduct treatments that are compliant with MOH and can support certifications like HACCP, ISO, GMP, HALAL and more.
• We do not only do sporadic or reactive spraying (that is not effective) because you paid us. We plan and rotate chemicals to prevent pest resistance because we want to solve your pest problem.
• In the event of sudden pest attack, our team will respond promptly to assess and resolve the situation.