Expired food items confiscated in Dammam

DAMMAM — Inspection teams from West Dammam municipality confiscated more than eight ton of expired food items during a raid on an apartment that was being used as a warehouse and a factory to make sweets, local media reports said.

Faisal Al-Qahtani, head of West Dammam municipality, said inspection teams, in cooperation with the security authorities, raided the apartment in a commercial area in the region and seized the food items. The raid was part of the campaign to ensure businesses abide by municipal regulations, he said.

He added that a large part of cakes and sweets found in the makeshift factory was beyond the expiry date.

“The municipality conducts regular inspections of licensed food establishments to ensure compliance with our regulations, and will not hesitate to take legal action if necessary,” Al-Qahtani said.

Members of the public who come across any potentially errant food operator are advised to report it to the municipality via the toll-free telephone number 940, he said.

Al-Qahtani said food safety is a joint responsibility. “While the municipality puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices and members of the public’s feedback is crucial,” he was quoted as saying.