By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department has taken its food safety campaign to Mount Kinabalu, South East Asia’s highest peak.
The three-day 2026 Sabah State-level Clean Peak, Safe Food Expedition was held from Sept 2 to 4.
Led by Datin Doreen Girik Anthony Gorotud, head of the department’s Food Safety and Quality Division, the expedition aimed to improve food safety practices at high-altitude food premises.
It targeted food handlers, mountain guides, porters and climbers, with emphasis on hygiene and food safety along the mountain trail.
During the expedition, the department conducted practical sessions for kitchen food handlers, briefings, food safety information activities and video documentation of food safety practices.
A key activity was the Food Safety Explorace, held as part of the 2026 World Food Safety Day campaign.
The interactive competition at Mount Kinabalu aimed to promote food safety and public health awareness at Malaysia’s highest elevation.
Two premises, Sutera Sanctuary Lodge and Mountain Torq, were also awarded the Clean and Safe (BeSS) recognition after meeting all mandatory assessment criteria.
The department said the recognition would encourage both establishments to maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety for climbers and visitors.
It also thanked Sabah Parks and Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for their cooperation and support.
The department said cooperation among stakeholders was essential to safeguarding visitors’ health and food safety on Mount Kinabalu.
The programme was held under the 2026 Sabah State-level Clean Peak, Safe Food Expedition.
Sabah Health Department expedition team on Mount Kinabalu.
