RIYADH —The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has said restaurants serving energy drinks and soda will be fined. The ministry is taking action following a request by the Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health First Aid Assistant Hisham Al-Khashan said the ministry has issued a new law through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and with the cooperation of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs in order to protect consumers' health. "The Ministry of Health aims to curb the negative effects of fast food restaurants on consumers' health. Energy drinks and soda are extremely harmful to health and this new law will be a turning point for consumers to turn toward healthier food and drink options. Consumers are responsible for their own health but restaurants and food product providers are also responsible for the health of their customers," said Al-Khashan. Meanwhile, Al-Khashan said the Ministry of Health has built 100 first aid centers throughout the Kingdom to train medical staff. "There are several internationally-accredited training centers to train paramedics and first aid health practitioners. The ministry is also opening family care centers for family medicine. All of the health centers are automated which enables each center to hire their own health consultants and practitioners," said Al-Khashan. He added there are over 5,000 health sciences graduates every year. "The ministry announced its new plans during the International Health Day campaign held on Thursday. The campaign focused on the epidemic of diabetes in Saudi society where 62 percent of diabetics are younger than 30. It is the most common chronic disease in Saudi society," said Al-Khashan. He also said most diabetics in the Kingdom are genetically diabetic. "Even if the disease was hereditary, a person can still control the severity of the disease through a healthy diet. Saudi society is suffering from a diabetes epidemic as many consume a great amount of energy drinks and soda on a daily basis while enjoying a fast food culture," said Al-Khashan.
