A competition has been launched to promote the best health practices among mobile cafes and street vendors in the Wilayat of Salalah. The General Directorate of Health Affairs in Dhofar has announced this competition in conjunction with the Sixth Food Safety and Quality Week for the year 2023, targeting small and medium enterprises registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and those holding an Entrepreneurship Card.
Licensed businesses that meet the eligibility criteria can participate in the competition by registering through the Dhofar Municipality's official Twitter account. The conditions for participation include being located in Salalah, registered with SMEDA, registering within the specified timeframe (May 14 to June 1), adhering to health requirements and controls outlined in the local order No (3/2010) for public health protection, and complying with the regulations specified in local order No (1/2010) for licensing mobile cafes and street vendors. The municipality reserves the right to accept or reject applications without providing reasons.
To encourage participation, the Dhofar Municipality has allocated cash prizes for the winners. The announcement of the winners will take place on Friday, June 16, at 5:30 pm in Salalah Grand Mall.
Salah al Ajili, Director of Food and Laboratories Department in Dhofar Municipality, stated, "Mobile cafes offer a variety of healthy and nutritious food options supervised by Omanis. They also serve as a source of income for many citizens who excel in providing fresh and high-quality food while meeting health and technical requirements. The competition aims to motivate entrepreneurs to actively participate and showcase their efforts, with three winners being rewarded." Participants must ensure a healthy environment for food preparation by providing necessary equipment, such as an electric generator and stainless steel preparation and heating tables. Other conditions include proper food storage and preparation facilities, as well as access to drinking water.
A specialised team will evaluate compliance with the competition's terms for all eligible applicants who apply on FL.dept@dm.gov.om until June 1.
This initiative by the municipality aims to encourage and support owners of mobile cafes and street vendors in complying with health requirements. It seeks to safeguard the health of consumers and ensure the well-being of the community by preventing any potential harm resulting from the use of materials that do not meet health standards and maintaining a clean and appealing environment.
These healthy competitions for mobile cafes and street vendors demonstrate Dhofar Municipality's commitment to raising awareness about the importance of food hygiene, improving food quality and enhancing monitoring practices to benefit consumers.
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