Over 824 shopkeepers have been reported in Riyadh for storing and selling goods under unsavory conditions, posing public health hazards for the community.

A team of field inspectors at the Riyadh municipality booked these offending shops on Wednesday, which according to the municipality reports, led to the closure of 28 shops, while 102 workers were arrested in different parts of the capital for violation of hygiene rules.

The municipality had organized 327 field inspections in various localities to monitor conditions in shops in terms of public health and hygiene.

The report revealed that a number of establishments in north Riyadh and Malaz had to be shut down for operating under unhygienic conditions, as well as some others in Naseem and Batha. The inspectors also confiscated 1,104.5 kg meat of unknown origin, and fish and poultry found risky for human consumption, in addition to 102 pieces of unsanitary pots and tools.

Cart vendors run by expats selling food on the street were also reported and the team of inspectors seized over 4,300 cartons of fruits and vegetables, which were handed over to charity organizations.

On Tuesday, the hygiene monitoring team also closed down 26 establishments, some of them operating without licenses or expired ones. The goods were stored under unsavory conditions, with insects crawling all over the places.

Some of these stores were also selling expired food items to customers. Aside from food establishments, another 72 health workers have been arrested in violation of the regulations in a number of stores related to public health in different districts of the capital.