RIYADH — Prince Mansour Bin Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, has issued directives to regional municipalities and governorates to tighten supervision of all facilities serving food. The minister's directives include monitoring fast-food joints and ensuring that these facilities fulfill hygiene conditions to protect consumer health. Hamad Bin Saad Al-Omar, spokesman for the ministry, said the directives of Prince Mansour include monitoring the cooking and serving of foods according to the stipulated standards for each kind of food. It also includes taking measures according to regulations to prevent the serving of foods that appear to have rotted or are unfit for human consumption. Also, it must be ensured that fresh food like meat, poultry and fish are not stored together with cooked foods or dishes being prepared for cooking in the same refrigerator. This is according to the articles of a bylaw for storing food in fast-food outlets. It must be ensured that substances added to the food, including colors and flavors, conform to approved standards. — SG/SPA
