Food stuff at over 40 per cent of eateries can make you sick

By V L Srinivasan

Muscat, April 6 - More than 40 per cent of all foodstuff stores, coffee shops and other eateries across the sultanate are not maintaining the quality of the food items that they sell, according to a study conducted by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR).

The study, which was conducted in three phases last year across Dhofar, Buraimi, Batinah, Sharqiyah, Dhahirah, Musandam and Dakhliyah, does not include areas under the Muscat Municipality.

MRMWR officials collected 990 samples from various eateries and small retail shops, which were then analysed at the department’s eight laboratories across the sultanate.

“Though the analysis did not find any pathogenic bacteria in the samples, our inspectors found that these establishments have been switching off their freezers and serving stale food to their customers,” Eng Khalil Hassan Ali al Balushi, Supervisor of Food & Water Laboratory, MRMWR, told Muscat Daily.

Food stuff quality deteriorates rapidly, especially during summer if optimum temperatures are not maintained, resulting in food contamination. Those who consume this food will fall ill. “Even drinking water from plastic bottles that have been exposed to extreme heat poses a great risk to human health,” he said.

Inspectors have now been directed to visit these establishments in the morning and also late in the evening to destroy foodstuff that is of poor quality. Officials are also checking to see if hygienic conditions are maintained in eateries.

“All foodstuff handlers must adhere to health requirements and obtain health cards to prove they are not infected with contagious diseases after undergoing the required annual medical check ups at clinics or hospitals accredited by the Ministry of Health, he said.

First-time offenders will be issued warnings while repeat offenders will be fined and have their licenses cancelled if they fail to meet the prescribed standards during subsequent inspections, he added.

Food Safety Consultancy general manager Fran Collison said that food businesses have a legal obligation to serve safe food, meeting government specifications. “I have observed fantastic hygiene standards in some hotels and restaurants. But it is far from satisfactory on some other premises,” she said.