Video: Three food establishments operating from private residences caught selling and trading food products

Kuwait officials: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Negative Phenomena Committee in Al-Ahmadi Governorate, conducted an inspection campaign that resulted in the seizure of three food establishments operated from private residences and used for the illegal sale and distribution of food products. This action is part of the Authority’s intensive efforts to ensure food safety and protect public health.

The campaign led to the issuance of eight violation reports, citing illegal food distribution, handling food in unsanitary conditions, employing workers without health certificates, and failure to comply with general health requirements. Legal measures were taken against the violators.

The Authority affirmed its continued supervisory efforts in cooperation with relevant authorities to combat non-compliant practices, safeguarding the health and safety of consumers. Relevant authorities conducted extensive inspection campaigns targeting several food establishments operated without licenses within private residential homes. These campaigns uncovered numerous serious violations and led to the destruction of large quantities of food products that did not meet standard specifications.

In detail, the raid and surveillance were carried out based on precise joint investigations by the Negative Phenomena Committee and the Ministry of Interior, with the participation of several related entities, including the Ministry of Electricity and Water. The investigations led to the identification and closure of more than four main sites used as warehouses and headquarters for manufacturing and packaging food products under poor environmental and health conditions.

Mohammed Al-Azmi, Assistant Supervisor of Food, clarified that the most prominent violations identified during the inspections included:

- Unlicensed operation of establishments: Running food factories and warehouses inside private residential units in violation of regulations and laws.

- Lack of health requirements for workers: Absence of valid health certificates proving that workers are free from diseases and qualified to handle food.

- Poor storage and packaging conditions: Re-packaging food products in unsanitary ways, and the presence of expired and non-compliant products against approved standards.

- Residential and labor violations: Identification of unlicensed workers, and an excessive number of toilets exceeding the capacity of some establishments without meeting basic health and safety requirements.

The operations resulted in the destruction of large quantities of diverse food products found to be spoiled and contaminated due to improper storage and handling. Competent authorities took the necessary legal measures, which included the complete closure of the violating sites, issuing official violation reports against the offenders, and transferring all case files to judicial and competent authorities to take appropriate legal action against them.

The entities participating in the campaign emphasized the continuation of rigorous field inspections to deter anyone attempting to tamper with consumer health and safety, urging citizens and residents to report any suspicious commercial activities or food-related violations to ensure a safe environment free from health risks.

On another front, as part of the General Authority for Food and Nutrition’s ongoing efforts to strengthen market oversight and ensure the safety of circulating food products, the Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and relevant fisheries authorities, conducted a joint inspection campaign on fish, vegetable, and meat markets in the Fahaheel area.

The Authority stated in a press release that the campaign resulted in the destruction of 773 kilograms of spoiled fish unfit for human consumption, as well as the issuance of four violation reports for non-compliance with public hygiene rules and requirements.

The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its inspection campaigns in collaboration with relevant authorities and taking necessary legal action against violators, in order to safeguard consumer health and safety.