The Riyadh Municipality closed down 52 restaurants and street vendors during random checks on establishments here recently.
The eateries, run by expatriates, were found serving unhygienic food and operating either without health certificates or expired certificates.
Others were causing environmental pollution detrimental to public health, according to a source from the municipality. The committee also found meat and other ingredients stored inside refrigerators in unhygienic conditions. Some restaurants were using old and potentially hazardous frying oil.
In addition, inspectors found rats and insects inside storerooms with vegetables unfit for human consumption. Many were found using dirty utensils for cooking.
A large quantity of goods and vehicles were seized during the raids.
This was followed by the closure of another 35 unlicensed facilities involved in refining crude oil and committing other hazardous practices potentially damaging to public health.
52 unsafe restaurants shut down
