A new law to regulate mobile food services – commonly known as food trucks – has been unanimously backed by the Muharraq Municipal Council, paving the way for stronger legal safeguards, healthier standards and new opportunities for Bahraini entrepreneurs.
The legislation, proposed by the Strategic Thinking Bloc in Parliament and spearheaded by MP Khalid Bu Onk, was endorsed during the council’s first meeting of the final term yesterday.
The draft law, titled ‘Law Regulating the Activity of Mobile Food Services’, seeks to transform existing ministerial decisions into a full-fledged law, giving greater stability and legal protection to food truck operators while ensuring consumer health, traffic safety and public order.
Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the council’s unanimous support reflects the growing importance of food trucks in Bahrain’s economic and social life.
“This law strikes a balance between encouraging local entrepreneurship and protecting the rights and safety of residents,” he said during the meeting.
“Food trucks have become part of modern urban culture, but without clear regulation, they can cause issues such as congestion, noise and waste. This framework ensures that opportunities for Bahrainis to thrive are preserved, while at the same time protecting the environment and people’s comfort.”
Mr Al Naar stressed that the initiative will help municipalities enforce standards more effectively.
“This law empowers councils to act responsibly by regulating designated areas for food trucks, instead of allowing random operations that disturb neighbourhoods or create safety hazards,” he said.
“This is a win-win law for entrepreneurs, consumers and the wider community,” Mr Al Naar concluded.
“We are proud to have supported it.”
Under the proposed legislation, licences would only be issued to Bahraini nationals, with Article Two stipulating that applicants must secure approvals from the Health Ministry and Civil Defence.
Article Five further bars operators from bringing in foreign labour, thereby ensuring that the business remains in the hands of Bahraini youth.
Mr Bu Onk said the proposal is designed to address shortcomings in the current system in his explanatory memorandum.
“Until now, food trucks were regulated by scattered ministerial decisions, which offered little legal certainty,” he explained.
“By transforming these rules into law, we are giving Bahraini entrepreneurs real protection and the confidence to invest. At the same time, the law guarantees food safety, proper waste disposal, traffic order, and respect for both public and private property.”
The law sets out clear operational rules, including:
- Parking restrictions to prevent obstruction of traffic or nuisance in residential areas.
- Working hours from 6am to midnight in residential zones.
- Requirements for silent generators, proper waste disposal and maintaining cleanliness.
- Approval from property owners before operating on private land.
- Clear display of trade name and commercial registration on vehicles.
In addition, the municipalities and the Capital Trustees Authority will be empowered to allocate areas under their control for food trucks, ensuring fair distribution across the kingdom.
Mr Bu Onk highlighted the wider national benefits.
“This proposal is not only about food trucks; it is about boosting local enterprise, creating jobs for our youth, and strengthening Bahrain’s economic diversification,” he said.
“We want to see Bahraini brands grow from food trucks into established restaurants and this law creates the pathway for that.”
The council’s unanimous backing is expected to give the proposal further momentum as it moves through Parliament.
If approved by Parliament and the Shura Council, the law will come into force six months after publication in the Official Gazette, with the competent minister mandated to issue executive regulations within that timeframe.
Industry and Commerce Minister Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro told the Shura Council in February this year that there were 493 trucks licensed to sell food and beverages in the kingdom. He was responding to a question by Shura Council member Fouad Al Haji on food and beverages’ licensing.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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