The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has urged all municipalities across the Kingdom to intensify inspections of eateries and food outlets to ensure that they are adhering to the health and hygienic rules and regulations.
The warning was issued in the wake of the annual summer season when temperatures are high and there is an increase in the consumption of meals from hotels and restaurants.
In a circular, the ministry stressed that both the quality and standard of food as well as its preparation in hygienic conditions and the sound health of eatery workers should be ascertained.
The ministry urged the municipalities to step up inspections to ensure that all food items are being prepared and served only by the licensed firms.
“The quality and standard of the food items should also be ascertained, in addition to seizing meals and foodstuffs that are unfit for human consumption. All additives and ingredients used in preparing meals, including colors, flavors and spices must be keeping the required standard for each one of them,” the ministry said.
It also underlined the need for carrying out periodic medical checkups on eatery staff, and ensuring that they carry health cards to prove that they are free from diseases, especially contagious ones.
The municipalities have also been urged to carry out campaign among consumers to make them aware of health hazards caused by the delay in eating fast-food after their preparation.
“Pastries should be kept in their appropriate temperatures so as to avoid bacteria contamination. The sale of fruit and vegetables should not be allowed outside stalls of licensed shops,” the circular said.
The ministry called on the municipalities to inform the concerned companies and firms in both public and private sectors about the rules and regulations issued from time to time with regard to environmental health. It also called for taking punitive measures against violators of the regulations.
Municipalities urged to intensify inspections
