Muscat: The Muscat Municipality has retrieved as much as 36 kilos of rotten meat and was destroyed after carrying out necessary legal proceedings in the past eight months, according to the civic authority.
As part of regular, random raids at restaurants and other eateries, the civic authority has carried out six raids, issued fines on five of them and certificates of destruction on five of such restaurants which were found to be selling unhealthy food.
Additionally, as many as 118 tools, equipment, utensils and other materials used for making foods too were confiscated for their un-usability and unhygienic nature.
“Violators were also referred to the competent authorities to complete the legal proceedings and legal actions including fine or imprisonment or both depending upon the gravity of the case, were issued by the law implementing authorities,” Khalid al Khanbashi, representative of the Muscat Municipality said.
Practising a commercial activity without obtaining a license from the competent authorities will attract a fine of RO 300, according to administrative decision 55/2017 on administrative penalties for violations of Muscat Municipality. Also, if anyone is involved in making and selling food without the approval of the municipality, a similar fine will be levied upon the offender. The food will then be confiscated and damaged if proven invalid for human consumption. In case the food was found to be prepared and circulated in unlicensed places is also subject to a fine of RO 300.
Muscat Municipality called upon the local community to report such unhealthy practices through various social networking sites of the municipality or to call the Call Center 1111.
The Civic body has also appealed the owners of abandoned or rented houses to verify and ensure that the premises is not used for any unauthorised activities that may lead to serious health, environmental and security risks. Property owners should also make sure that their rented houses and commercial establishments are kept up to date with the appropriate hygienic requirements.
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