By Badea Abu Al-Naja
Saudi Gazette
MAKKAH — Municipal inspectors in Makkah raided an apartment that was turned into a makeshift kitchen where meals were prepared in unhygienic conditions.
Several expatriate workers preparing to distribute the prepared food to hotels near the Grand Mosque were caught red-handed during the raid.
The workers prepared the food at a place that was not suitable, nor hygienic, for the purpose, said Muhammad Bakhshwain, director of Ajyad district municipal affairs. The place did not even meet the minimum health and hygiene requirements imposed by the health authorities.
A large amount of food together with kitchen utensils were confiscated while the expatriate workers were handed over to the police. The apartment owner will also face legal consequences.
Anyone who buys food from individuals who are not licensed by the health authorities will be considered an accomplice and will face legal consequences as well, Bakhshwain warned.
Hotels should only buy food from licensed restaurants and eateries to ensure the health and safety of visitors and Umrah performers.
Nawaf Al-Hazmi, director of food and public health control, said over 1,000 kilograms of dishes, in addition to 300 kilograms of cooked rice and lentils; 350 kilograms of red meat; 400 kilograms of onions, garlic, potatoes, raw rice and legumes, and 200 rusty kitchen utensils, were seized.
