A cafeteria in Hamad Town has been shut down by the Health Ministry due to severe non-compliance with hygiene and health standards, in addition to some faulty electrical wiring.
It followed a raid by government inspectors to restaurants, bakeries and shops in the Northern Governorate constituency nine (west Hamad Town) yesterday.
The inspectors’ team was led by Northern Municipal Council technical committee chairman and area councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi.
It involved officials from the Northern Municipality, the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Electricity and Water Authority, the Interior Ministry and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
Amongst the violations were shops practising trade in fields not mentioned in their commercial registrations with warnings being issued to make corrections within a given deadline.
Also, shops that placed items outside on the pavement and road or were blocking entry to residential areas were also issued violations.
Mr Al Qobaisi praised the presence of the various parties and their involvement for the benefit of the country and the citizens.
“Those raids come within the framework of the efforts of the concerned authorities to ensure that restaurants, bakeries and shops adhere to the standards and conditions necessary to carry out their activities in an ideal manner that achieves the public interest, protects their well-being and health,” he said.
“The council will also arrange upcoming field tours with executive agencies to ensure the cleanliness of restaurants, cafés and cafeterias and monitor the prices of goods and the quality of products.
“The cafeteria that we have spotted with severe non-compliance with hygiene and health standards, in addition to some faulty electrical wiring will be face legal action following closure.
“This is a strong warning to all others to abide by rules and regulations and the council and all of those concerned will not hesitate to take action against anyone trying to profiteer at people’s expense.”
Citizens and residents were warned over improper storage of food in the summer as it could lead to poisoning and other bacterial infections.
Consumption of sandwiches, salads, shawarmas and non-vegetarian food could be risky as temperatures soar, said a top food safety expert. Proper storage of food is crucial as bacteria thrives in temperatures ranging from 5C to 60C.
Jaafar Al Mutawa, a retired public health official, cited the need for separate cutting boards and utensils for raw food and cooked items to prevent cross-contamination.
He called on people to refrain from leaving raw meat, poultry or fish in the car as they go shopping. He also cautioned pregnant women, children and the elderly on their food habits during summer.
These groups of people are at high risk of infection from wrong food practices, he added.
He pointed out that non-vegetarian items as well as watery food have enough nutrients for bacterial growth and hence dry food should be preferred.
According to Mr Al Mutawa, there are three types of food poisoning – chemical, microbial and plant toxins. He called on people to wash hands regularly and keep utensils clean and dry before use.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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