STANDARD MONITORING PROCEDURES FOR ONLINE FOOD BUSINESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Clean, safe, and quality are the basis of food safety that must be prioritised by everyone, whether they are entrepreneurs, operators, promoters, food senders, or consumers. Each party involved is a key entity in the food chain aimed at ensuring food security in Malaysia can be strengthened over time. However, the question remains, who is responsible for monitoring food safety, especially involving the sale of online food products, specifically in Kedah. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge of various food products sold online. Thus, this study presents the following two objectives in tracing the issue. First, to examine the concept and procedures of monitoring, and second, to analyse the monitoring procedures of the online food business by the responsible enforcement authorities. This research uses a qualitative method by implementing a literature review and semi-structured interviews for data collection and research facts. The data analysis method is based on textual and document analysis of data obtained from library documents and conducted interviews. The study's preliminary findings obtained monitoring procedures on online food sales and business during the Covid-19 pandemic implemented by the Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, gazetted in April 2020. The implications of this study are refined to highlight to the public the real role of enforcement authorities, such as the Ministry of Health Malaysia in general and the Kedah State Health Department in particular, which involves the monitoring of food chain safety procedures at the federal and state levels during Covid-19 pandemic era.