Two expats fined, arrested, deported for cooking in unsanitary conditions

Muscat: Two expat workers were fined, imprisoned and ordered to be deported from the Sultanate for cooking meals in unhealthy conditions, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection said.
The Court of First Instance in Rustaq recently sentenced two defendants for violating the Consumer Protection Act, for which they were convicted, fined OMR500, and have been imprisoned for 14 months and ordered to be removed from the country. The workers were cooking, living and sleeping in the same room.
The Public Authority for Consumer Protection said in a statement, "Information received by the Rustaq Consumer Protection Department indicated that unlicensed Asian workers were preparing meals in unhealthy conditions, and in an unsuitable place to prepare meals that did not meet the minimum health requirements. The meals were prepared in rooms used for sleeping, and cooking at the same time."
The site was then raided by the authority in cooperation with Public Prosecution and Royal Oman Police, and the materials were seized and necessary procedures were completed. A competent court issued a verdict condemning those accused of violating the Consumer Protection Law by making food meals in conditions that are not suitable for health, and for not obtain the license from the concerned authority.
"The first offense was punishable by three months imprisonment and the second offense was punishable by four months imprisonment, and a fine of OMR500. The two penalties were then doubled. In addition, they will be deported and prevented from entering the country after the completion of their sentence," PACP added.