PUTRAJAYA: Food truck operators may be required to comply with the newly-launched Food Truck Fire Safety Guidelines in order to conduct their business, said Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mantek.
He said the guidelines, which were issued by the fire and rescue department, could help prevent fires at food trucks and the surrounding areas they operate in.
“As we know, food truck operators cook in their trucks, so the safety aspect should be prioritised,” he told reporters after launching the guidelines here yesterday.
Nine food truck fires were reported nationwide from 2017 until August this year, which were caused by gas cylinders placed near generators, he said, adding that there were no casualties.
Apart from getting feedback from food truck operators associations, Mohammad said, the ministry would also consult relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and local authorities on the proposal to make it mandatory for food truck operators to comply with the guidelines.
“For now, we give encouragement (to follow the guidelines); maybe we can discuss with the local authorities in particular to make (compliance with) these guidelines a requirement for business licence,” he said. — Bernama