RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA) recently introduced new devices to be used by inspectors to examine the level of hygiene in eateries and among workers at food establishments.

The new tools can also detect in a short time the extent of oil used for frying food. The devices are the latest in this area. This is part of organizational efforts in curbing unhygienic practices in public restaurants and food corners at various establishments.

An official from the SFDA said the campaign is meant to facilitate the work of food inspectors who can use modern scientific methods that give results within a short period of time.

Describing the operation of the device, the official said it measures the level of hygiene, date of oil expiry, temperature and other details with the help of a microscope, searchlight and sterilization.

It can also detect the level of hygiene among the establishment’s workers, cleanliness and the amount of energy used at the place where food is being prepared.

This is done by taking a swab of the place to determine the level of public hygiene there.