KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 19 -- A restaurant caretaker in Penampang was on Tuesday fined RM5,500, or nine months' jail in default, by the Magistrate's Court for selling contaminated fish head curry.

Mohamed Yakoob Mohamed Shaik Allaudeen, 39, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to selling a RM26 serving of fish head curry containing excessive Coliform bacteria to an Environmental Health Assistant Officer on July 7 at 9am at Nasi Kandar Anak Mami in Bundusan.

Laboratory analysis found Coliform levels of 110 MPN/g, far exceeding the permitted limit of 5 MPN/g under Regulation 39(3) of the Food Regulations 1985.

The offence, under Sections 13B(1) and 13B(2)(e) of the Food Act 1983, carries a maximum fine of RM20,000 or up to five ye...