Field inspectors of the Riyadh Municipality have closed down 50 food firms for health irregularities and banned 97 workers for violating health regulations in different parts of the city, local media said.

The workers were banned due to a number of reasons, including non-availability or expiry of health certificates, non-observance to general hygiene and the absence of uniforms at work. The inspection teams have so far carried out more than 400 field tours to a number of stores in the current summer season.

The campaigns resulted in the immediate closure of 50 stores for a variety of reasons, including expired food items, poor storage conditions, and the absence or expiry of technical licenses, the media said. The municipal inspectors also seized and destroyed more than 1,412 kg of rotten meat, fish and poultry items of unknown sources.