Makkah Municipality Implements Advanced Laboratories For Year-Round Food Testing And Safety Monitoring

The Holy Makkah Municipality prioritises food monitoring to protect consumer health and safety. This involves a detailed plan to oversee markets, food stores, restaurants, and caterers. Field inspections are conducted year-round, with increased efforts during busy periods. This ensures that food products meet consumption standards, adhere to regulations, and verify the legality of workers and meal providers.

To support these efforts, the municipality has established advanced laboratories equipped with high-tech devices for testing food samples. These labs are staffed by specialised teams who conduct continuous field inspections. They collect and analyse samples using rapid detection tools to ensure the suitability of materials like frying oils and cleaning supplies.

The municipality operates several central and mobile laboratories with cutting-edge capabilities. A central laboratory can handle over 700 samples daily, while three mobile labs are designed for crowded areas during peak seasons. Each mobile lab can process more than 150 samples daily, ensuring quick analysis of food and water samples.

In October this year, the municipality's laboratories tested 2,900 food samples. Of these, 90% were found suitable for consumption. The labs have recently achieved international accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 standards, which confirms their compliance with global quality management systems.

The municipality also focuses on educating workers in food-related establishments through awareness programs. These initiatives aim to improve knowledge about safe practices in handling foodstuff. By doing so, they enhance overall food safety standards within the community.

ISO certification is a testament to an organisation's adherence to quality standards worldwide. Since its introduction in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it has undergone several revisions, with the latest in 2008. This certification is crucial as it is the most widely implemented quality management system globally.

The Holy Makkah Municipality's commitment to rigorous food monitoring ensures that consumers can trust the safety of their food products. Through advanced technology and comprehensive education programs, they maintain high standards of public health protection.

With inputs from SPA