Health Regulations for Supermarkets and foodstuff sale shops (Groceries)

Health Regulations for Supermarkets and foodstuff sale shops (Groceries) Chapter One General Regulations Article (I): A municipal licence shall be obtained from the concerned municipality prior to practising the activity. Article (2): Every person working in the shop shall have a valid health card issued by the concerned municipality and shall be subject to an 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 clothes suited to the nature of their work and they shall always be clean. Article ( 4 ): The shop shall be built with fixed materials, at a location far from sources of pollution. The shop floor level shall be not less than the road level and shall be covered with suitable non-slip tiles. The walls and the ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. Article (5): A self-shutting glass door shall be provided. Article (6): Electric light and air-conditioners shall be provided, as well as electrical shock insect trapping equipment. The windows shall be covered with wire mesh. The shop shall be provided with appropriate devices to prevent the entry of rodents. It shall also be provided with a First Aid Kit. Article (7): Joining the shop with the owner's or workers' residence is prohibited. Article (8): A suitable storehouse for the storage of goods shall be provided inside the shop, separate from other areas. The regulations for foodstuff stores shall be adhered to. Article (9): Display of goods outside the shop is prohibited. Also display of expired or decayed foodstuff is prohibited, as well as 19 foodstuff not complying with Sultanate standard specifications. Validity dates shall continuously be reviewed. Article (I 0): Displayed goods shall be arranged so that foodstuff is separated from other materials. A separate place shall be designated for insecticides, detergents and disinfectants and it is not permissible to display these items on the shop floor or pathways or among displays of unpacked foodstuff. Article (11 ): The shop together with goods displayed shall be maintained in a clean state and the floor shall be washed from time to time. A container with a removable cover shall be provided for the collection of waste, which shall be discharged at sites designated by the concerned municipality. Article (12): The requirements of the Directorate-General of Civil Defence, ROP shall be adhered to. Chapter Two Supermarket Regulations Article (13): The area of the supermarket shall be not less than (60) square metres. Article (14): The supermarket shall be divided into the following divisions: a- Dry and canned foodstuff division. b- Frozen and chilled foodstuff division. c- Fresh meat sale division. d- Fresh fish sale division. e- Vegetable and fruit sale division. f- Non-foodstuff division. However, it is permissible for the supermarket to be divided into some but not all of these divisions. Article (15): The dry and canned foodstuff division shall be provided with the following: a- Wooden shelves coated with oil paint or stainless metal shelves for foodstuff and they shall be at a height of not less than (30) cm from the floor level. 20 b- Drawers or containers with covers to hold unpacked grains and spices and they shall be at a height of not less than (30) cm from the floor. Article (I 6): The frozen and chilled foodstuff division shall be provided with the following: a- Deep-freezer for each type and the freezing temperature shall not exceed (-18°c ). b- Normal or display refrigerators for safekeeping of dairy products, soft drinks and juices. A refrigerator for preserving fresh meat and eggs provided that the temperature does not exceed (+4°c). Article (17): The meat sale division shall be provided with the following: a- A bench of suitable height shall be constructed, covered on all faces with white tiles and with a glass panel of suitable height fixed on the side facing the customer. b- A strong piece of wood for cutting meat that shall always be kept clean to ensure safety. c- Movable metal basins to hold frozen meat during cutting or mincing. d- Normal basin made of china clay covered with ceramic tiles to a height not less than (60) cm and a drain that shall discharge its contents in a hygienic manner. All used tools such as knives, mincers, hooks . . . etc. shall be of stainless metal and shall always be kept clean and stored in special places. Article ( 18): The fish division shall be provided with the following: a- A suitable bench of blocks of a suitable height for fish display, to be lined on all sides and surfaces with white tiles. The side edges of the bench surface shall be sufficiently raised to prevent water from dropping on to the shop floor and a front drain shall be provided to discharge its contents in a hygienic manner. b- Movable metal basins to contain frozen fish. Cleaning fish inside the shop may be permissible provided that a place shall be designated and separated from the display area by a partition one and half metres high 21 and covered with ceramic tiles. All tools used such as knives and scaling tools.... etc shall be of stainless metal and shall always be kept clean and in a special place. Article (19): Vegetables and fruit sale division shall be provided with wooden or metal shelves in the form of steps to display vegetables and fruits. Article (20): In case of pig meat sale or its products, a separate partition shall be designated and a sign saying "Pig Meat" shall be erected. Article (21 ): A separate place shall be designated for the sale of domestic animal and bird food at which a sign saying "Animal and Bird Food" shall be placed. Article (22): Re-packing of any foodstuff inside the shop is prohibited except after obtaining a licence from the concerned authority. Chapter Three Foodstuff Shops (Groceries) Regulations Article (23): The shop shall be provided with the following: a- A number of wooden or stainless metal shelves coated with light oil paint for displaying goods, that shall be at a height not less than (30) cm from floor level. b- Deep-freezers for frozen foodstuff sale. Frozen fish shall be separated from other foodstuff. c- A normal refrigerator for gaseous water or canned drinks sale. d- A display refrigerator with glass frontage for dairy products, eggs and confectioneries. e- A high shelved table in a separate corner for fresh vegetables and fruit sale. f- Drawers or containers with covers to hold unpacked grains and spices, that shall be at a height of not less than 30 cm from floor level. Article (24 ): The displayed quantities of foodstuff shall be proportionate to the shop area. 22