Jeddah- Municipal authorities issue food safety instructions 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Municipal authorities have issued orders to beef up inspections of restaurants and establishments that sell food to ensure they strictly adhere to health and safety regulations.

The order was issued following instructions issued by Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb for steps to guarantee that food supplied in markets is hygienic.

The municipality issued the order to all establishments where food, particularly fast food, is prepared. They should take special care to maintain hygiene, said Bashir Abu Najm, director general of commercial licensing and monitoring at the Jeddah municipality.

He added that cooks should keep raw food away from cooked food, and that -- as a precaution against bacteria -- they should not leave half-cooked meat and fish lying around. Refrigerators should also be cleaned regularly and maintained at required temperatures.

Abu Najm said cooks should remove items from fridges that may have gone off. They should also instruct customers to eat cooked meals straight away. Food outlets should ensure the water they use is safe and clean. They have to disinfect tanks and carry out regularly laboratory tests to ensure hygiene.

He said the instructions also include calls for effective steps to eradicate all kinds of insects, rodents and birds. Waste must be disposed of hygienically and containers should not be left open. Workers should keep themselves clean, work in a clean environment and avoid scratching their heads or any other part of their bodies.

The official warned that anyone who violates the regulations would be penalized.