Maha Fitaihi, head of the Khadija bint Khuwailed Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supported the conditions set by the Jeddah municipality to ensure the supply of quality food products.

“Food business is a sensitive area as it is directly linked with public health,” she said.

She urged women entrepreneurs to prove their skills and capabilities in the field and make use of the increasing opportunities in the sector.

The number of Saudi women working in this business has increased during the last two years. Of 664 such enterprises run by women in Jeddah, 294 have reportedly violated conditions set by the municipality.

The municipality has set out a number of conditions to ensure that foodstuffs prepared by women in their homes are clean and hygienic.

The applicant for licenses should be a Saudi and the place of work should be inside a residential building. A municipality official will visit the place to make sure they have met all conditions.

Licenses for such businesses are given for one year and could be renewed. License holders should display the municipality’s certificate and license at a prominent place. They should engage only in food manufacturing and not in any other business activities. All kitchen workers are required to have obtained health certificates.