KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: A surprise inspection campaign conducted on Wednesday evening by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Kuwait Municipality, and the Ministry of Interior, uncovered multiple violations at stores and restaurants in Mubarakiya Market, resulting in 22 violations being issued. The inspections revealed tampering with food weights, improper storage, and other breaches of commercial and health regulations.
The campaign is part of ongoing government efforts to ensure food safety, market regulation, and consumer protection. During the inspections, several restaurants were found not using scales when serving meals — a clear breach of an official ministerial decree mandating that all food establishments sell meals by weight to guarantee fair pricing and protect consumers.
Faisal Al-Ansari, Director of the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce, stated, “During the inspection tour, conducted with several regulatory bodies, we aimed to ensure that food establishments in Mubarakiya Market adhered to all relevant regulations. We found a number of restaurants serving meals without weighing them, which constitutes a direct violation of the ministerial decision. Instances of underweight portions were also recorded. Seizure reports were filed, and legal action has been taken against the violating establishments, which will be referred to the Commercial Prosecution Office.”
Health Violations
The inspection also covered health and food safety standards. Violations included poor storage practices and leaving food uncovered outside stores, creating potential contamination risks.
Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition for Control and Inspection Affairs, said, “The Mubarakiya Market campaign is part of a series of surprise inspections conducted across the country in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Kuwait Municipality, and Ministry of Interior. During the tour, we detected multiple violations in various establishments.”
Dr. Al-Jalal added, “A total of 22 violations were recorded, including poor public hygiene, smoking inside premises, leaving goods improperly exposed, and the absence of health certificates for employees. One food establishment operating without the required licenses was seized, closed, and legal action has been taken against it.”
He emphasized that surprise inspections will continue uninterrupted across all governorates as part of a comprehensive national plan to monitor commercial and food establishments. “We work daily to ensure compliance with regulations and will not tolerate any fraud, manipulation, or practices that threaten consumer health,” Dr. Al-Jalal concluded.