Abqaiq shops punished for health violations

The Abqaiq Municipality recently fined hundreds of shops and eateries here for health violations and confiscated 327 kilograms of food and 389 liters of beverages unfit for human consumption.
Inspectors issued 338 violation notices to shops, fined 133 and closed 29 stores. An examination of 38 samples revealed seven ingredients that posed a health risk to the public.
Ali Alsawat, Abqaiq's mayor, said the inspection campaigns over the past three months covered shops across the region. He said violations included unhygienic handling of food, use of expired products and using diesel fuel for cooking, creating toxic fumes.
There were poor hygiene in laundries, workers not using proper uniforms and shops operating without licenses.
During raids, teams of female inspectors spotted several violations in cosmetics shops such as expired creams, and powders and potions with unknown contents. There was also a lack of sterilization equipment for the tools used and medical creams sold without prescriptions. “The municipality is in the process of ensuring the women’s cosmetic shops comply with health requirements and other technical considerations,” Alsawat said.
He said the municipality is making an effort to protect the health and safety of citizens and residents.
The municipality would intensify followup visits in the mornings and evenings, he said.
The municipality also released figures for other activities in the region including the slaughter for food of 903 camels, 12 cows, 31,548 sheep and 1,895 goats.