JEDDAH: Relevant government agencies referred around 8,476 workers in the fast food sector in the local market to health tests, through 24,000 inspection raids on this sector.

Teams found 3,707 ill people during last year. Health inspection raids decreased by 70 percent from 80,000 raids in 2013, to 24,000 raids in 2014.

Health raids on fast food joints in the local market found 9,647 violations, while 8,576 new permits were issued for new investors in this activity, and 8,000 health certificates were issued according to a report from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

Sources told local media that cases referred to medical examinations in Jazan topped the list in comparison with other provinces in the Kingdom, with 1,291 workers, the number of sick people reached 253 cases. Riyadh came second with 1,061 workers referred to medical examinations, and 548 sick people.

Sources added that Al-Qasim came third with 1,954 workers, and the number of sick people reached 734. Asir came fourth with 1,036 cases and 172 sick people.

Sources stated that the Makkah Province came first in terms of sick people with 734 cases, while the number of cases referred to medical examinations reaching only 697.

Municipalities are trying to provide safe food to avoid any health hazards by using modern health technologies to follow up on the manufacturing process as well as ensuring good agricultural practices. Municipalities are giving priority to health control over all stages of food production in all food establishments regardless of their size.

Government apparatuses are intensifying their field presence to capture any violators and issue suitable punishments against violators to establish a healthy environment that offers good quality products for consumers.