INTENSIFIED inspections at restaurants, cafeterias and traditional bakeries in the Northern Governorate have curbed major violations though minor complaints were registered yesterday.
Exposed cooked food, improperly stored vegetables and sauces, a failure to display the Public Health certificate, and makeshift tools used at bakeries were registered by officials during an inspection campaign at a commercial block in Budaiya.
Other violations registered included lack of gloves, cleanliness, storing cleaning chemicals near dry food items, and subsidised flour used in a pastry shop.
The field visit was organised by Northern municipal councillor Mohammed Al Dossari who was accompanied by judicial officers from the Health Ministry’s Public Health Directorate and Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry as well as the Northern Municipality’s Licence Inspection Department.
“We have received several complaints from area residents about the general cleanliness of these establishments and we decided to do a surprise inspection along with the authorities concerned,” Mr Al Dossari told the GDN.
“This is the second time we visited this commercial block and there have been warnings given previously which has curbed major violations but more care and awareness were necessary.
“I received complaints that several employees weren’t wearing face masks which is unacceptable and alleyways between establishments were unhygienic which is also an environmental hazard.”
Mr Al Dossari stressed the importance of unannounced surprise inspection campaigns to register violations and rectify the situation.
Nine bags of subsidised flour were illegally being used by a pastry shop inspected which prompted Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry judicial officer Saud Ebrahim to register the violation and issue a summons.
“It is illegal to use subsidised flour in establishments other than traditional bakeries,” he said.
“If the owner of this pastry shops doesn’t adhere to the summons and come to the department at the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry a case will be referred to the Public Prosecution.
“It gives them an unfair advantage of much lower costing and higher profits and this is illegal.”
Meanwhile, Public Health Directorate judicial officers told the GDN that the main violation registered yesterday was a failure to display the Public Health Certificate – which is a necessary requirement for these establishments.
They also highlighted the need to cover food items and properly store frozen meat while adhering to expiry dates, general cleanliness and using appropriate tools.
“We haven’t registered major violations because we have been stepping up inspections and many owners have adhered to the warnings,” said Public Health Directorate public health specialist and judicial officer Manal Abdulla.
“They were using deep basins to store items in the fridge which is incorrect as it prevents correct cooling of these items and food was left exposed on counters.
“We have issued warnings and given the establishments time to rectify the violations.
“We are sparing no efforts to ensure the correct operation of these establishments as public health is a top priority.”
Mr Al Dossari reaffirmed more future surprise inspections to ensure public health safety.
reem@gdn.com.bh
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