KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Kuwait is set to introduce new regulations requiring cooperative societies, central markets, and all businesses dealing with food products to contract with pest and rodent control companies licensed by the Ministry of Health. This change will become a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing business licenses from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The goal of this initiative is to protect public health by preventing infestations of insects and rodents, which can pose significant health risks. Licensing pest control companies through the Ministry of Health ensures that only approved pesticides and materials are used, thereby minimizing potential health hazards.

A committee, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Health, Social Affairs, the Union of Cooperative Societies, the Public Authority for Food, and other relevant bodies, has been established to develop and review a new law or mechanism. This committee will determine the requirements for businesses and cooperative societies to engage with licensed pest control providers.

The new regulations will apply to all entities involved in the food industry, including restaurants, poultry shops, and grocery stores. Cooperative societies will need to extend these pest control measures to all their facilities, including warehouses, branches, and rented shops. Contracts for pest control services must be managed through cooperative societies, with penalties enforced for non-compliance.

Additionally, a report will be compiled to track the pest control companies contracted by each cooperative society, ensuring they are licensed by the Ministry of Health. The names of these licensed companies will be distributed to all cooperative societies to aid in compliance with the new regulations.