Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — A number of Makkah residents claimed some restaurants, coffee shops and fast food stalls east and north of the city serve low-quality food that cause diseases and demanded the city's municipality increase its control and number of inspections and monitor all such businesses, reported Al-Madina. Abdulhadi Duaij, resident, thought the municipality has failed to control the restaurants located along the Makkah-Madinah highway, where he believed most shops are not committed to health regulations. “They are run by laborers who don't care about people's health,” he said. Ibrahim Al-Qahtani said he did not understand “the absence of competent authorities in terms of monitoring the quality of food at Al-Sharae' restaurants.” He said this absence could result in the contamination of meals served to customers as these meals are prepared by workers, most of whom do not care about hygiene. Ghanim Mubarak said most restaurant workers at Jabal Al-Nour District and Arbaeen Street do not adhere to regulations that make it compulsory to wear gloves when handling food. Salah Al-Enizi said: “The bad smells coming out of restaurants along Al-Sharae' Street and the ones in Al-Ja'rana District makes one change their mind over buying meals from them.” He believed that at least half of them were operating without licenses. Ahmad Al-Dahmash thought it was “strange” to have restaurants operating next to workshops at the industrial areas in Al-Haj and Al-Shuhada streets. “Restaurants are supposed to be located in areas free of gases and toxic emissions industrial areas are filled with. How did they get permits from the municipality?” Badr Al-Faris called for daily inspections and stricter monitoring. “This weak control will eventually lead to bad effects on people's health.” Jaber Sahlouli said some restaurants that had been closed by the municipality for failing to implement health regulations are opened after a short period without any improvement. “A few restaurants located on the Madinah highway, specifically in Annawaria area, were closed by the municipality for bad food storage, but after a while they were reopened and operating without any improvement in quality.” Khaled Al-Awaji said restaurant workers' negligence and disregard for health regulations is the result of the lack of inspections. Rasheed Al-Subaie said some restaurants that were previously involved in cases of food poisoning are continuing to sell meals. He said: “I have heard of several food poisoning cases. Those who are responsible are brought to account but are freely preparing and selling meals to people.” Saud Al-Matouq said some restaurants even have their meals prepared by illegal workers outside. Although the municipality had raided some enclosed areas where the practice is taking place, “it is still practiced, only with more caution.” Director of Information and Publications at Makkah Municipality Osama Zaitouni said intensive inspections would take place in the next few days with the goal of achieving food security for consumers. The inspections will include all coffee shops and diners, he said, adding the municipality issues health and environment-related instructions which workers have to apply when preparing meals. Complaints and violations could lead to fines being imposed and closure of the premises, he said.
