Vegetable market vendors criticized for poor hygiene

Several consumers have complained that vendors at the vegetables market are fooling customers by mixing rotten vegetables and fruits with fresh produce to cash in on Eid demand, The Peninsula reports.

Consumers are also worried about the unhygienic way traders store and handle commodities, as not many health inspectors are on duty because of Eid holidays.

Vegetables and fruits are sold in an unhygienic environment and vendors avoid cleaning their areas.

Many vendors wash all vegetable and fruits in the same bucket of water even when its colour changes into black due to the dirt. Before washing, they keep vegetables and fruits on the ground, where more dirt is absorbed.

Carts to transport vegetables and fruits are too dirty to carry any produce. Many vendors do not take care of personal hygiene, although they touch and sell fruits and vegetables under the hot sun as they sweat.

However, another report said health inspectors monitor the vegetable market, including checking containers which transport vegetables and fruits.

In two shifts, they also monitor auctions. Inspection is part of an intensified campaign by municipalities to monitor restaurants, fast food chains, traditional bakeries and sweet shops during the Eid holidays.

An official from the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning said they had booked many restaurants for failing to comply with health standards set by the ministry, while storing food items. But no specific reference was made to the vegetable market.

Separately, health inspectors from Doha Municipality conducted 1,351 visits, registered 56 violations and closed four outlets. Inspection included vegetable and fruit shops to ensure if the produce were safe for human consumption.

The campaign is not limited to food- related outlets, but other places as well. Health inspectors also raid laundries, beauty salons and barber shops. [The Peninsula]