A total of 999 food poisoning cases were recorded in Terengganu last year, involving 20 schools and 12 institutions, while five cases occurred in other food premises.

State Health, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Pehimi Yusof said the number was a significant increase from the 592 cases recorded in 2013.

"Until May this year, 15 episodes of food poisoning had been reported involving 411 victims.

"Of these, seven episodes of food poisoning involved four schools, where it occurred more than once in some," he told reporters after the launching of the state-level World Health Day 2015 celebration by State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong, Monday.

He said food premises found to be responsible for food poisoning had been ordered to close and were required to ensure compliance with the hygiene standards set by the Health Ministry.