Report

The Ministry of Municipalities in Saudi Arabia has proposed new regulations for central kitchens that supply restaurants and households. The draft rules ban using wooden boards and knives with wooden handles for cutting meat, poultry, and fish, instead requiring food-safe materials like plastic for easier cleaning.

Designated Food Preparation Areas

According to the draft, central kitchens must set up a dedicated food preparation area that is visible to service recipients and separated by transparent glass. Central kitchens may use cameras and screens for monitoring. They must restrict the area to food handling and design it to ensure a one-way flow for food operations—from receiving and storing to preparing, cooking, and distributing—to minimize contamination risks. The draft rules also ban reusing previously served or sold food. Moreover, restaurants and kitchens must collaborate with licensed food preservation groups to redistribute surplus food and prevent waste.

Stricter Penalties for Food Safety Violations

As part of broader food safety measures, Saudi Arabia has proposed stricter penalties for violations. Food establishments with cats or dogs on the premises may face fines of SR2,000. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has also proposed fines of up to SR50,000 for any shop operating without a municipal license, with repeat offenders facing doubled penalties.

Aim for Enhanced Food Safety

These proposals form part of a draft law aimed at amending financial penalties for food-related violations, ensuring they match the severity of the violation and its impact on food safety.

Source: Gulf News