Don’t buy fish from street vendors

MUSCAT, DEC 15 - MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a campaign urging all customers to avoid any purchase of fish from street vendors. The ministry’s statement said: “To maintain your health avoid buying fish from the street peddlers.”
It may be noted that large quantities of fish are regularly seized by the regional municipalities, including Muscat Municipality, as they are deemed to be unfit for consumption.
According to municipal health inspectors, “there have been cases where bleaching powder and ammonia were used to preserve fish”
“Fish sold in hypermarkets is relatively expensive compared to what is sold on the streets in pick-up vans and even private cars, where the sellers often claim they are a fresh catch,” said Justin Lobo, who prefers street vendors for monetary reasons.
“We have a fish vendor coming home every week and his fish seems to be of fair quality. Never we had health issues and prices are affordable too. The only issue is that he offers only limited variety,” said Fatma, an expatriate homemaker.
A Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR) decision has clearly laid down public health and hygiene regulations for vendors.
Vendors will also be charged RO 10 for each violation such as operating without a health card, and if found to be wounded or sick.
Vendors will be charged RO 30 for operating without a licence, RO 15 for non-renewal of the licence, RO 5 for not displaying the licence at an appropriate place in the cart, RO 50 for selling during the ‘suspended’ period and RO 50 for not allowing the municipal and other authorised inspectors to perform their duties.