KUWAIT CITY, April 8: Director of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate Inspection Department at the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) Dr Saud Al-Hamidi Al-Jalal has revealed that 10,700 food samples from all factories in Subhan were tested in 2023 to ensure they are suitable for human consumption, reports Al-Anba daily. In an interview with the daily recently, Al-Hamidi pointed out that all Subhan factories are under the governorate; hence, it has the largest number of samples taken as confirmed by the issuance of 5,600 export certificates for Gulf countries and 3,700 export certificates for Arab countries.

Violation
He also confirmed the issuance of 690 violation reports and 63 food establishments were closed last year for committing various violations like opening and managing an establishment before obtaining a health license, failure to meet health and public hygiene requirements, and others. He added 200 violations were also recorded for workers without a health card, as obtaining this card for the worker is important to prove the absence of infectious diseases. He explained the examination is carried out in the laboratories of the Ministry of Health and the tests are for infectious diseases that are transmitted quickly by preparing or transporting food materials.

“The examination is carried out to ensure the safety of the worker and to ensure the safety of the food item before it reaches the consumer. The card is given based on the result of the medical examination,” he stated. He asserted that a mechanism is followed based on the importance of guaranteeing the safety of products and the consumers’ access to them. “We inspect and monitor all food establishments. We started with centers that operate in shifts. Inspectors checked companies, facilities, factories, central markets and parallel markets,” he explained.

Regarding the export certificates and the type of examination, he clarified that before exporting any product; an export certificate is issued after examining the product well. “In 2023; 10,700 food samples taken from all factories were tested to ensure their suitability. This is in addition to obtaining 5,600 export certificates for Gulf countries and 3,700 for Arab countries. For this reason, we export a large amount daily accompanied by a quantity of samples and certificates. We obtain monthly samples of the production of companies and factories, whether manufactured potatoes (chips) or different types of candies, chocolates, dairy and carbonated drinks,” he narrated.

Shortage
He went on to say: “We suffer from a shortage of inspectors, but this obstacle has been overcome by organizing work shifts, as well as the presence and entry of new inspectors -- whether through training courses or the Civil Service Commission. Therefore, work matters have become smoother, especially through cooperation with many parties. Many agencies cooperate in this regard like the Ministry of Interior. If it is difficult for female inspectors to carry out their work in some dangerous places or places that are difficult to enter and where workers are present in large numbers, the help of Interior men is sought. They do not fall short and are present all the time until the inspection is completed, during which the worker is asked to present the health card or any proof of identity and is transferred directly to the police station if the identity and/or health card is not present. Measures are taken completely by the inspector and transferred to the police station.”

He pointed out that the inspection is done in two ways, as many complaints are received through the public relations hotline, or the centers affiliated with each governorate, so that if the consumer detects a violation, he goes to the nearest center or through the public relations and hotline number 1807770 or send it via WhatsApp. “Once the complaint is received through public relations, it is immediately sent to the governorate to which it is affiliated to take the necessary measures if the complaint is about a breach of health requirements, expired food or general cleanliness. The complainant is contacted to learn about the violation procedures, and most of the complaints that occur frequently these days are about purchasing and ordering through social media, especially Instagram. We must warn consumers not to order through these accounts unless they are sure of the company and that it exists,” he added.