MADINAH, 23 July 2007 — A committee investigating the food poisoning that caused 23 diners including children to fall sick at a busy restaurant in Madinah on Tuesday has recommended penal action against the restaurant. The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Interior for approval and further action.
According to the report, several food samples were taken from the restaurant and sent for detailed laboratory investigation. The laboratory tests found that the food samples contained salmonella, Adel Sharaf, general supervisor at the Department of Health Affairs in Madinah, said in a press statement on Saturday.
Most persons infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Though most persons recover without treatment, in some persons the infection can become systemic and spread to vital organs.
The investigators traced the disease-carrying germ to the fingernails of a worker at the restaurant, the report said. Out of the 23 people who suffered food poisoning four were non-Saudis. Twenty-one were discharged after investigations and first-aid treatment, the statement said. The remaining two cases required intensive treatment and hospitalization, according to the official.
The official said last week, shortly after the food poisoning was reported, that the restaurant would remain closed for five days for investigations.
Following the unpleasant development, the restaurant, which has been popular in the city, displayed a notice “The restaurant is closed for repairs.”
The official asked restaurants in Madinah to adhere to hygienic regulations with special attention to the personal hygiene of their workers.
In another development, the officials of the Makkah Municipality impounded large quantities of contaminated fish, meat and other food products from two illegal warehouses in the Misfala district. The food items were stored there in an unhygienic manner. Most of the workers at the warehouses were Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The municipal officials who conducted the raids said they destroyed a total of 4,000 kg of contaminated meat and fish after the raid. They also handed over 16 freezers and other equipment seized from the illegal establishments to police for further investigations.
The municipal officials urged the public not to rent out their buildings for purposes such as the illegal and unhygienic storage of food items. The officials also requested the public to report to the authorities when they learn about practices that pose serious threat to the public health.
