DOHA: A recurrence of food poisoning incidents in the country associated with restaurants has prompted the health authorities to launch an intensive campaign against erring outlets.
Last week, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) closed down a famous eatery in the Old Airport street after four members of a family who ate from the restaurant suffered from food poisoning.
The SCH said yesterday that a medical report prepared by its environmental health section has confirmed that the outlet served contaminated food and violated health regulations.
Tests conducted in the Central Food Laboratory at SCH found three types of bacteria causing diseases in food served by the restaurant. Medical tests on the victims also showed that they were infected by the same bacteria, as well as one of the workers of the eatery.
The SCH said that it had intensified inspections at all eateries and food outlets in the country in collaboration with other monitoring departments following the closure of a “famous restaurant” in Old Airport street, “after a group of people suffered from food poisoning”.
Last month, the municipal authorities closed down the Marmara Istanbul Restaurant in Frij Klaib for 60 days following a similar incident in which more than 20 people had been infected.
The SCH said that it had launched an intensive inspection campaign and is collecting food samples from all restaurants and food outlets in the country including suppliers. Medical tests have been conducted on people working with restaurants as part of the campaign.
The SCH is also planning to conduct a public awareness campaign based on results of the laboratory tests in food poisoning cases. This will include workshops for traders and meetings with restaurant owners to raise their awareness about health requirements and the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations.
As per Law No 4 of 2014 the erring outlets will be held responsible for rectifying their mistakes. If they fail do it, they will not be allowed to continue their business, said the SCH.
The inspection teams include specialised doctors from the communicable diseases department and the environmental health inspection department. The SCH has set up a hotline — 66740951/66740948 — for the public to lodge complaints about food poisoning cases. This hotline is linked with the communicable diseases section at SCH.
After receiving a complaint, the SCH team will immediately start investigation, and collect food samples for testing at the central laboratory. The authorities have also intensified monitoring on imports and supply of food at various levels including suppliers, storage, packaging, display and food outlets.
The Peninsula
