JEDDAH — Jeddah Municipality shut down several restaurants located in famous shopping centers because they were persistently violating regulations despite repeated penal measures, the Makkah Arabic daily reported. A source from the municipality said the violations varied from unsanitary kitchens to using and selling expired food products. “The municipality caught insects and open sewers inside some kitchens. Some of the meals sold were not freshly cooked. Moreover, the workers at some restaurants did not have a medical certificate affirming that they are in a healthy state to serve uninfected food to customers,” said the source. He added that the municipality takes serious measures and applies strict penalties on restaurants violating its regulations. “Some restaurants were fined and others were shut down. The municipality also posts and announces the names of the violating restaurants and their violations so the general public would know and beware of the services they receive,” he added. The head of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's shopping centers committee, Mohammad Alawi, said the municipality had reported that restaurants in shopping centers have not erected transparent glass windows in their kitchens so customers can see how their food is being prepared. “The committee will also sanction the owner of violating restaurants as it is damaging to the reputation of the shopping centers, especially when the municipality announces their names and locations,” said Alawi.
