Doha, February 15: The Ministry of Public Health has introduced a wide-ranging food safety inspection plan for Ramadan to ensure consumer protection and maintain public health standards during the holy month.
The move comes as food demand typically rises across the country. Under the plan, inspection teams will conduct visits to more than 2,000 retail outlets, including major supermarkets, grocery stores, small sales points, popular kitchens and Ramadan iftar venues.
Monitoring will be stepped up at land, sea and air entry points, particularly for food items that see high consumption during Ramadan such as dates, juices, meat, poultry, sweets and vegetables. Authorities said checks will focus on compliance with approved technical regulations and safety standards.
Special attention will also be given to raw materials that witness increased use during the month, including cooking oils, nuts and dates. Samples of food products will be collected for laboratory testing to verify safety and detect any possible contamination.
Specialized technical units at entry points will continue to oversee health control procedures while ensuring that the movement of goods remains smooth to meet market demand.
The plan also includes measures to support regulatory processes such as product registration, permits and certification. Priority will be given to reviewing applications related to commonly consumed Ramadan items and establishments operating during the season, including restaurants, kitchens and Ramadan tents. Authorities said procedures would be facilitated without compromising approved conditions, alongside close coordination with relevant entities.
In addition to inspections, the ministry’s Food Safety Department will run awareness initiatives. A social media campaign will share guidance for consumers on safe food handling and healthy practices. A workshop has already been conducted for operators of popular kitchens to outline hygiene requirements, safe preparation methods and steps to prevent contamination, with emphasis on Ramadan-specific guidelines.
The ministry said the measures are part of a preventive approach aimed at reducing food-related risks and strengthening public confidence, stressing that maintaining food safety requires cooperation from both food establishments and consumers.
