Kelantan health department director Dr Zaini Husin said all food premises, including those offering catering services, are required to register with the ministry to ensure food safety and quality, Bernama reported.

“We found that the caterer that prepared meals for the college was not registered with the health ministry and was operating out of a private residence,” he told reporters after an event at the Pasir Mas district health office today.

“The outbreak is under control. No new cases have been reported and all hospitalised students have been discharged.

“We suspect the chicken curry to be the cause, but are awaiting confirmation from the lab.”

On Thursday, it was reported that the total number of students and staff who came down with food poisoning had risen to 427, up from 343 the day before.

State local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah was reported to have said  the premises was ordered to close in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

“An inspection was carried out at the premises, and eight food handlers were found at the site.

“A total of 47 samples were collected for lab analysis, including 31 clinical samples from patients, seven food samples, four environmental swabs, four from food handlers, and one water sample” he said.