KUWAIT, Oct 5, (KUNA): Kuwait Municipality stressed it is tightening inspections at all land, sea, and air ports to avoid entry of spoilt food items that would threaten the health of consumers, with all items subjected to lab tests and violators being handed fines and all related laws implemented in full.

Municipality Director General Ahmad Al-Subih told KUNA Wednesday inspection rounds are around the clock, in all governorates, with no exemptions, and all confiscated items are destroyed with fitting legal action taken against those responsible.

Al-Subih praised the efforts of field teams who are the public’s line of defense.
Mubarak Al-Kabir Governorate Municipality Director Shereedah Al-Mtairi said surprise inspections are conducted at foodstuff factories, individual shops, and restaurants. Among the latest busts was quantities of food items in a factory in Sabhan with expiry dates of 2008 and 2009, and some expired in April.
The items were destroyed at a landfill and a legal notice was issued against the violating establishment, he added.

Mubarak Al-Kabir Emergency Team Chairman Abdullah Al-Lmei’ remarked that inspections have dual focus; inspectors check expiry date of all food items used and sold at the concerned establishments, and then the actual handling and processing of the foodstuff at the establishments and whether it fits health requirements is also ascertained. There is also checking of whether all employees have clean bills of health while employed in this industry.

The inspectors have revealed an appalling degree of neglect and slack at some factories with no care for possible health risks to consumers, the official pointed out.

The official stressed that while consumers must check expiry and consumption dates for all purchases, it is also their shared responsibility to report any fraud or violation to the nearest municipal branch so that appropriate action be taken and penalties issued.