RECENTLY, I bought a packet of mamak mee goreng at a popular stall in Lebuh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

As usual, I watched the man preparing the mee and was appalled to see him using his hands to handle it and other ingredients.

Then, while frying the mee, he used his hands to wipe the surface around the kuali with a dirty rag.

Worse still, he grabbed a broom to sweep the floor where he was standing while stirring the mee.

This was when I asked him how he could use his hands to prepare the mee and clean at the same time.

Although I was angry, I cooled down when he admitted his mistake.

I hope he does not repeat it.

A lot depends on the attitude of customers.

They must not hesitate to tell off food vendors who handle raw food like mee with their hands in such an unhygienic manner.

But, more often than not, young adult customers dare not tick off errant food handlers as I did.

S. RAGUNATHAN, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – January 22, 2008