By YASIN ABU TAQIU KAKANDE
DOHA: A popular restaurant on the busy Commercial Road in the Old Airport Area has been closed down by public health authorities until further notice after four members of a family suffered from food poisoning after eating in the outlet.
The eatery was closed late last week by inspectors from the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) for violating health and safety rules. The victims were rushed to the emergency unit of Hamad General Hospital after they complained of stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting.
They ate chicken, rice and salad and felt nausea and began vomiting. They also suffered from diarrhoea and mild fever and called the ambulance. A medical certificate issued by the emergency unit said the four had suffered from food poisoning.
A notice from the SCH was seen pasted on the doors of the restaurant, announcing its closure over violation of Law No. 8 of 1990 on preparation of food. It says the outlet is forbidden to carry out any activity until inspectors are convinced it has rectified the situation and removed all reasons behind its closure. The sealed restaurant can reopen after a go-ahead by the SCH.
This is the second restaurant in the city to be temporarily closed by the SCH in the less than two months after its customers suffered from food poisoning.
Some customers who had not known the restaurant had been closed were seen returning disappointed after seeing the notice.
Known for its shawarma and other Turkish cuisine, the restaurant served mostly Arabs, Africans and Europeans looking for a less-spiced food. “I am shocked to find the restaurant closed at one of its busiest hours on a Friday afternoon,” said Shafiq Ahmed, a Yemeni customer.
“All other restaurants in the area have food, mostly for South Asians and it is always so spiced,” Ahmed told the daily.
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning last month started a policy of naming and shaming outlets that cheat or sell expired products and food following requests from the Central Municipal Council. The ministry has for far named 72 outlets, including restaurants and cafes, closed recently for 10, 15, 30 and 60 days depending on their violations. The Peninsula
