Expat workers arrested for running illegal, unsanitary commercial kitchen

Energy Sunday 09/December/2018 09:55 AM
By: Times News Service
Expat workers arrested for running illegal, unsanitary commercial kitchen

Muscat: A group of expatriate workers were arrested in Sohar for selling unsanitary and unlicensed food items to customers, according to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP).

The authority said in a post on its official Facebook account that it had detained a group of expatriate workers after receiving reports of meals being prepared in an unlicensed shop. The site was raided and the report verified. The defendants were caught red handed, cooking meals in a location that did not meet health and safety standards in contradiction to the Consumer Protection Law.

A total of 243 samosas, 15 grams of samosa mixture, and a quantity of spices were seized alongside a number of tools and cooking equipment.

Authorities learned that the items were distributed and sold to consumers as well as a number of shops in the Wilayat of Sohar. The accused confessed, admitting that their employer did not have the necessary licenses from the authorities.

The case has been referred to the judicial authorities.

Abdul Rahman bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director General of the Directorate, said that the Consumer Protection Law obliges institutions that prepare and manufacture goods and products to gain the necessary approvals and licenses to ensure they follow the safety specifications of the product, product safety, and zero side affects.

Al Qasimi called on organisations to adhere to the relevant regulations and laws and to comply with health and safety requirements. He also urged consumers to cooperate with the authorities in reporting such practices to maintain a safe market.