The Ministry of Health has decided to ban pilgrims from bringing food into the country, unless it is canned. I agree with the decision and support it wholeheartedly. At the same time, I do not want any reader to think that our laws pertaining to health supervision are applied correctly. The truth is that they are not; there are, thousands of local restaurants which prepare and sell food without following the Kingdom’s health regulations. A visitor to our restaurants and cafeterias will notice that they have sprung up in every street. Upon entering these restaurants and looking carefully around, the visitor will also notice that health regulations are more often ignored than followed.
Over the years, it seems that our Saudi stomachs have become used to this food and have developed a tolerance for it — perhaps even an immunity to some of the problems that might result from the food. If health laws were strictly followed, many restaurants would have to close. Even our fast food restaurants which supposedly adhere to international health standards would be affected. And I will say nothing about the places — called “kitchens” — which prepare traditional Saudi food. Far too many of them are located next to car repair shops and the whole area is littered with acid and oil. Those who eat that food have very strong stomachs indeed.
One of my friends wanted to invest some money in a shawarma restaurant. After looking around and seeing how most places make shawarma, he decided not to put his money into any project involving food preparation. My point is that since we are so careful about what pilgrims bring to the country, shouldn’t we also be equally concerned about the food that is prepared and consumed here? I wonder too what the Ministry of Health is doing about all the expired candies and other food that are everywhere in our markets, endangering the health of every man, woman and child in the country.
