Health Regulations for Foodstuff Repackaging Shops

Health Regulations for Foodstuff Repackaging Shops Article ( 1 ): A municipal licence for the shop shall be obtained from the concerned municipality prior to practising the activity. Article (2): Every person working in the shop shall have a valid card issued by the concerned authority, and the persons working in the shop shall be subject to annual medical examination or whenever necessary, appropriate action to be taken in the light of the results of the examination. Article (3): Workers shall wear the same uniform, including matching caps, gloves and masks to cover their noses. Article (4): The shop location shall be suitable and far from any sources of pollution, the floor shall be covered with non-slip tiles and the shop provided with light, air-conditioning and exhaust fans suited to the shop area. Article (5): The municipality shall be notified of any foodstuff intended to be repackaged so as to inspect and review the labels of the new packages prior to the repackaging process. Article (6): The original package label in the Arabic and English languages shall be fixed on the new package and shall include the country of origin, the substance name, the new net weight, production and expiry dates, repackaging date, and title and address of the packing agency. Alteration of the dates stated in the original package is prohibited. Article (7): Packing and separation shall be done mechanically, except for those materials that cannot be mechanically repackaged in which case gloves shall be used. Article (8): The shop shall always be maintained clean. Action shall be taken to prevent the entry of rodents, and solid and liquid waste shall be discharged in a proper hygienic manner. Article (9): Sufficient light and ventilation shall be provided, together with installation of a number of exhaust fans suited to the shop area. 33 Article (10):A First Aid J(jt shall be provided. Article (II): The requirements of the Directorate-General of Civil Defence, ROP shall be adhered to. Article (12):The shop shall be divided into three partitions: a) A store for foodstuff intended to be repacked. b) A room for repackaging c) A room for preserving packed foodstuff. Article ( 13 ): The following specifications of stores for foodstuff intended to be repackaged shall be adhered to: a) Wooden or iron posts of a height not less than 30 cm from the floor level and not attached to the walls, on which to place packages of foodstuff intended for repackaging. b) Sewage pipes or their inspection chambers shall not pass through the store. c) Walls and ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. d) The store and repackaging room shall be separated by a self-shutting door. e) Goods shall be well arranged and not stacked high, to facilitate withdrawal of goods according to their expiry date. Article (14):The following specifications of repackaging rooms shall be adhered to: a) The walls shall be coated with light oil paint. b) A permanent site shall be designated for placing packaging equipment. c) The repackaging process shall be limited to dry foodstuff. Article (15):The specifications stated in article (13) above shall be applied to the room for storing packed foodstuff. Article ( I 6): it is permissible, in the case of repackaging frozen foodstuff, to include in the shop a fourth partition which shall be subject to the following: • 34 • a) A basin with hot and cold potable water and drainage pipes shall be fitted. b) The walls shall be covered with tiles to a height of two metres and the remainder shall be coated with light oil paint. c) Appropriate refrigerators for preserving frozen foodstuff prior to and after repackaging shall be provided. d) Foodstuff, in its frozen state, shall be cut and repackaged mechanically. e) Self-shutting doors shall be fitted. Article (17):Containers and used tools shall be clean, free from any pollution, made of stainless substances that will not react with the foodstuff intended to be repackaged and shall be kept in special places. Article (18):Foodstuff intended to be repackaged shall be suitable for consumption for a period not less than two thirds of the validity period. No substances shall be added to foodstuff intended to be repackaged unless approved by the Ministry's concerned authorities. • 35