Saudi Arabia shuts down popular Al Khobar restaurant over food poisoning scare

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s regulatory authorities in Al Khobar have closed a branch of the well-known restaurant Mama Noura after officially reported cases of food poisoning among several patrons, local media reported. Specialised teams continue to investigate to ensure the safety of the food and compliance with hygiene procedures at the site. 

The closure, enforced under a ministry decision, will last 30 days due to violations that included food quality issues, noncompliance with staff hygiene standards, and improper storage conditions. Authorities confirmed that the affected patients are currently in stable condition.

The move comes amid intensified municipal and health inspections during a period of rising temperatures and humidity in the Eastern Province, which increase the likelihood of food spoilage if storage and cleanliness standards are not maintained.

Regulatory bodies conduct routine and targeted inspections of food establishments to ensure compliance with health regulations and food safety standards. Officials emphasised that these campaigns aim to educate staff and prohibit the preparation of sauces on-site, requiring the use of products only from trusted sources in accordance with approved specifications. 

Health experts say that foods such as shawarma and salads are particularly risky in high temperatures, warning that leaving shawarma out for more than two hours creates an ideal environment for bacteria, especially Salmonella, and stressed the importance of following strict hygiene protocols during preparation and maintaining safe storage temperatures.

The closed restaurant is among the most popular in the Kingdom, operating multiple branches in the Eastern Province and attracting large numbers of patrons. Mama Noura is known for offering a variety of popular Arabic dishes, including shawarma and sandwiches, including chicken shawarma, meat shawarma, chicken burger, and various pies like cheese, meat, and labneh pies.