Kuwait warns cooperatives to comply with food safety requirements

The Financial, Administrative and Cooperative Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs in Kuwait has called on cooperative societies to strictly comply with food safety regulations to protect consumers.

Arab Times reported, citing sources, that the sector had issued a circular reminding cooperatives of requirements set by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), including the need to keep food products separate from detergents and chemicals in display and storage areas.

The circular also stressed the importance of proper storage conditions and suitable temperatures for refrigerated and frozen products.

Sources said that cooperatives were told not to display or sell expired, damaged or otherwise unfit food. Any products suspected of being unsafe must be isolated, while packaging must remain intact and production and expiry dates must be clearly visible.

The ministry also highlighted hygiene requirements for markets, warehouses and vehicles used to transport food. Refrigerators, cutting and packaging equipment must be kept clean, while measures must be taken to control insects and rodents and dispose of waste safely.

The circular called for making sure that food handlers have valid health certificates and to prevent any employee exhibiting symptoms of any illness from working.

Sources stated that the circular bans the repackaging of food in a way that exposes it to contamination, as well as the circulation of products of unknown origin.

It was alos indicated in the circular the need to obtain approval from the concerned authorities prior to the circulation of products, and to allow PAFN inspectors to check food items and records, collect samples, and implement decisions to withdraw, destroy or suspend the circulation of non-compliant products.