Qatar calls on eateries to use fresh meat

Manama: Food vendors and restaurants in Qatar will have to prove the meat which they use for barbecuing, making kebabs and other food preparations throughout Ramadan is fresh, local media has reported.

A governmental campaign is trying to ensure that outlets only use meat which was has been bought that day and do not store meat over night for use the following day as demand for food rises.

Municipalities are planning surprise inspections to make sure establishments adhere to the strict health and safety rules, Qatari daily The Peninsula said yesterday.

"All vendors and eateries will have to make sure that they use fresh meat and exhaust the stock the day it's bought. Purchase receipts with dates will be required to be produced by the eateries as proof of the meat's freshness," sources told the newspaper.

"Civic inspectors could demand that an outlet show them the spices and other ingredients used in food preparation to make sure they're of good quality and safe for use."

All food vendors will be given special licences to sell snacks and other popular food items. In fact official inspectors can request to see these documents any time they visit.

What's more, no outlet will be allowed to sell food which has been prepared elsewhere. All food must be prepared in authorised venues. Other stipulations include changing oil used for frying, once the frying is finished.