JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: The state health department has intensified inspections in a bid to ensure that all festive foodstuff sold is safe for consumption.

An operation, codenamed Ops Shu 2008, began on Jan 24 targeting supermarkets, mini markets and sundry shops in Johor and will go on till the Chinese New Year.

Up to Jan 31, the department had checked 116 premises and sent food samples for analysis.

Johor health director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said 17 of the 77 samples tested for boric acid were positive.

He said the foodstuff included yellow noodles, koay teow, Nyonya kuih and bak chang and the people responsible would be charged for preparing or selling food containing substances injurious to health.

If convicted, a person can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed for up to 10 years or both.

?We also sent 22 samples for beta agonist tests but the results have yet to be finalised,? he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.

He said imported products such as fruits, mushroom, waxed duck and seaweed would be tested for pesticides, colouring, preservatives and heavy metals.

Dr Marzukhi said his officers also seized 620 cans of foodstuff worth some RM78,000 from the premises.

"The canned foods seized were dented, expired or were found to have labelling problems," he said, adding these products would be destroyed.

Dr Marzukhi said the department would also step up checks on the cleanliness of premises selling food, including restaurants and hawker centres.

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