KUWAIT CITY, Aug 15, (KUNA): Municipality statistics showed that the total imported food products during the month of June amounted to 254,640 tons, 22 tons of which was destroyed and 117 tons re-exported.
The statistics, issued by the Department of Planning and Research at Kuwait Municipality, in cooperation with the Department of Public Relations, added that the number of violations in the six governorates during the month of June reached 2,098, in addition to administratively shutting down 11 stores.

Some of the breaches found by inspectors of control departments and emergency teams included 889 expired food, 782 non-compliance with hygienic standards and 105 unlicensed advertisements.

Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorate had the largest number of violations, which reached 684, while Hawalli came second with 305.

Al-Farwaniya came third with 254 violations, Al-Ahmadi fourth with 242, then came Al-Jahra with 178 and the governorate of Al-Asimah had the least number of violations, 113.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Food Safety Committee at Kuwait Municipality Mohammad Ghazi Al-Otaibi revealed that they are currently testing a new system to examine food products by their barcodes rather than by their brand names or the country from which they are imported, reports Al-Rai daily.

He stressed that this system, if it passes the testing phase successfully, will help in stopping any attempt to import food products that are not suitable for human consumption.

Meanwhile, he praised the efforts of the Municipal Services Sector for their contribution to the success of the project by implementing serious measures against traders who attempt to import food products that are harmful for human health.

He added that this process of checking food products by their barcodes will assist in getting the work done transparently and accurately.

Meanwhile, personnel from Kuwaiti Municipality, Farwaniya branch, recently organized campaigns in Khaitan and confiscated two tons of fruits and vegetables unsuitable for human consumption, reports Al-Horriya.

Legal action is being taken against violators of labor law and hawkers.