Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the operator was found to be taking food hygiene issues lightly and violating the terms of the contract.

He said there had been repetitive complaints from parents whose children had come down with food poisoning after taking meals at the dining hall.

He said the district health office ordered the dining hall to be closed on Aug 30 after 62 students came down with food poisoning. However, it was reopened a few days later

Asyraf said the dining hall operator was found to have not hired enough workers, while the food provided was not as stated on the menu.

“There should have been 19 workers manning the dining hall, but during the spot check, there were only seven workers, and the dishes were not as promised in the menu,” he said.

He said the operator was also found to have given food-handling tasks to sub-contractors.

He said legal action, including issuance of summons, will be taken against the operator.