Destruction of 30,000 kg of food and submitting 71 health violations
Muscat Municipality continues sudden campaigns on restaurants and cafes
Muscat Municipality has recently destroyed (30174) kilograms of various kinds of fruits and vegetables such as bananas, pomegranates, kiwi, grapes, tomatoes and lettuce at Central Citrus Market, due to the presence of molds and fungi in them. In addition, 72,000 eggs and some natural honey cans has been destroyed as part of intensive service efforts of market specialists and efforts of inspection and food control sections at Directorates of the Muscat Municipality, according to the inspection program on food establishments to ensure healthy and safe food provided to the consumer.
These campaigns targeted meat, poultry, sweets and nuts shops, in addition to (395) vegetables and fruits shops in various areas of the governorate of Muscat, and (60) sudden visits to the restaurants and cafes. It is resulted in recording (71) health violations, destruction of 13 materials used in foods preparation and (10) kinds of expired cosmetics, and 49 kg of food.
Inspection teams have initiated inspection campaigns in areas of Buwshar and AlAmerat, within food inspection and control plan of Muscat Municipality, in order to raise health level of the shops and their labor and provide services in quality for consumers.
On the legal side, Local Order no. (1/2006) for the protection and safety of public health determined the legislation and laws regulating the control on food establishments, and regulations of the health requirements for practicing the activities related to public health, and explained specific frameworks for the conduct of these activities. It specified the duties of food inspection teams and performance of work methods, and specified the foundations to be followed for food circulation in food establishments. As well, it provided in Article No. (2), for Municipality has the right to directly close food establishments and shops related to public health in case of practicing without getting local license, doing irrespective trade in food, detecting insects or rodents or its signs in the shop or food or spill of sewage, in case of sale or disposition of food and/or beverages seized by Municipality, in case of mass poisoning or epidemic diseases resulting from food and beverage traded in the shop, non-compliance with health requirements, failure to remove the health violations, employing workers infected with contagious diseases, or in emergency cases decided by the competent authorities.
Administrative decision no. (168/2011) pertaining to the issuance of health regulations and requirements related to public health, has stated health requirements for practicing individual activities, including food and other activities related to public health and the requirements for buildings and electrical, water and sanitation connections, pest control, safety and security requirements and requirements for manpower. Municipality is also working constantly to develop and update health requirements as provided in the latest developments in this aspect.
Muscat Municipality requested businesses to adhere to the compliance to all health requirements, monitor the health situation and consult the municipal authorities in case there are any questions. Consumers can call Muscat Center on (1111) to express any comments or concerns.