16 June 2005
Food safety officials in Bahrain yesterday cautioned the public to be on their guard for stale food in the market, writes Mandeep Singh.
The head of the food control section at the Ministry of Health's Public Health Directorate Dr Abdullah Ahmed said, though inspections had been stepped up throughout Bahrain to weed out rotten food, it was impossible to police all people all the time. "We appeal to the public to be on their guard and let us know if they find anything amiss," he said. "We can guarantee that all food in Bahrain is safe for human consumption although we are not letting our guard down."
Dr Ahmed said inspection of food outlets in the country had been stepped up and more vigilance was now being kept on butcher shops with the advent of summer. "With rising temperatures, we have to be sure that no spoiled food comes into the markets with meat and meat products the prime targets." He said refrigerated containers and cabinets had been made compulsory for all outlets selling meat in Bahrain. "We have also initiated a drive to ensure that meat reaches outlets in refrigerated trucks so as to keep it from spoiling."
Dr Ahmed said if any food, in any of outlet, was found to be unfit for human consumption, it would be immediately withdrawn and an investigation launched. He said the Ministry of Health has already started classifying food outlets in the country on the basis of their food-safety standards. "Field tests of manuals for the classification have already concluded successfully. The grading of food establishments has been done in order to ensure maximum safety standards in terms of food in the country."
Food safety officials in Bahrain yesterday cautioned the public to be on their guard for stale food in the market, writes Mandeep Singh.
The head of the food control section at the Ministry of Health's Public Health Directorate Dr Abdullah Ahmed said, though inspections had been stepped up throughout Bahrain to weed out rotten food, it was impossible to police all people all the time. "We appeal to the public to be on their guard and let us know if they find anything amiss," he said. "We can guarantee that all food in Bahrain is safe for human consumption although we are not letting our guard down."
Dr Ahmed said inspection of food outlets in the country had been stepped up and more vigilance was now being kept on butcher shops with the advent of summer. "With rising temperatures, we have to be sure that no spoiled food comes into the markets with meat and meat products the prime targets." He said refrigerated containers and cabinets had been made compulsory for all outlets selling meat in Bahrain. "We have also initiated a drive to ensure that meat reaches outlets in refrigerated trucks so as to keep it from spoiling."
Dr Ahmed said if any food, in any of outlet, was found to be unfit for human consumption, it would be immediately withdrawn and an investigation launched. He said the Ministry of Health has already started classifying food outlets in the country on the basis of their food-safety standards. "Field tests of manuals for the classification have already concluded successfully. The grading of food establishments has been done in order to ensure maximum safety standards in terms of food in the country."
© Bahrain Tribune 2005
