KUWAIT CITY, July 21: A team from the Kuwait Municipality branch in the Capital Governorate launched Wednesday an extensive inspection campaign in Shuwaikh, resulting in the issuance of 56 citations to the owners of markets, wholesale food shops and meat cold storage found to have violated the Municipality rules and regulations.

Municipality official checking some of the food items

The violations include operating meat cold storage and food shops without a license, recruitment of workers who have no health certificates, and sale of harmful or expired food items. A total of 30 citations were issued for violating sanitary regulations and use of extra space, including some parts of the road, without obtaining permission from the Municipality, while nine citations were issued for violating advertising regulations, such as the installation of advertisement boards without getting a permit from the relevant authority and failure to put signboards stating the name of the shop.

According to head of the Municipality branch in the Capital Faleh Al-Shammari, the campaign is part of a special program prepared by the governorate to stop irregularities in the local market, particularly the food and meat shops, in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. He said the branch carried out this campaign, which will continue in the coming days, in compliance with the instructions of Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipality Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar and General Manager of the Municipality Eng Ahmad Al-Subaih to protect the consumers from devious traders.

Al-Shammari also advised the public to call hot line number 1855555 if they have any complaint. He pointed out the campaign against the unscrupulous merchants will be successful only through a strong coordination between the authorities and the people.

Meanwhile, MP Hassan Al-Jowhar is of the view that ensuring food security is responsibility of the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Rashed Al-Haroun, urging the minister to prevent manipulations in prices of foodstuff, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

Similarly, MP Hussein Al-Huraiti has called for the government to pass the Consumer Protection Law to strengthen its surveillance in the pricing of foodstuffs, whereas MP Naji Al-Abdulhadi suggested a special committee must be formed to monitor the prices and quality of foodstuffs.