To promote compliance, a food safety workshop was held in Abqaiq
In a move aimed at raising health awareness and enhancing the quality of food services, the Buqayq Governorate Municipality, in cooperation with Arkan Training Center, organized a specialized workshop yesterday, Wednesday. The workshop targeted owners of food preparation establishments, restaurants, and workers in this vital sector, as part of the municipality's ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and compliance with strict health regulations.
The context of health oversight and its importance
This initiative comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation in its municipal oversight mechanisms, shifting the focus from simply monitoring violations and imposing fines to strengthening preventative and awareness-raising measures. Food safety is a cornerstone of the public health system, and global studies indicate that continuous training for food handlers significantly reduces the risks of food poisoning and foodborne illnesses. Municipalities across the Kingdom are working to instill the concept of "self-monitoring" within establishments, ensuring sustained compliance even in the absence of surprise inspections.
Workshop themes and strategic objectives
The workshop focused on several key areas, including reinforcing the concept of internal control and the role of management leadership in food establishments in implementing standards. It also reviewed the latest approved health regulations and systems, highlighted common risks in food preparation environments such as cross-contamination and improper storage, and discussed methods for preventing these risks according to global best practices. These efforts aim to protect consumer health as a top priority, while also ensuring the sustainability of investment activities, since adherence to standards prevents establishments from being closed or facing penalties that could jeopardize their continued operation.
Widespread interaction and active participation
The workshop witnessed a remarkable turnout and positive interaction, with representatives from over 60 food establishments in the governorate participating. The meeting included fruitful discussions during which experiences were shared and participants' inquiries regarding the practical implementation of the regulations were addressed. This engagement reflects the private sector's commitment to cooperating with regulatory bodies to provide safe and high-quality services to the community.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
For his part, the Mayor of Buqayq Governorate, Engineer Mohammed bin Aftan Al-Dhafeeri, affirmed that this workshop is not a one-off event, but rather part of an ongoing series of awareness programs. He pointed out that these efforts directly contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically within the "Quality of Life" program, which focuses on improving the lifestyle of individuals and families and building a society whose members enjoy a balanced lifestyle, where healthy and safe food is considered one of the most important components of quality of life.
