Central kitchens banned from using wooden cutting boards or knives with wooden handles

The Ministry of Municipalities in Saudi Arabia has proposed rules that would prohibit the use of wooden cutting boards or knives with wooden handles in central kitchens serving both residential and commercial clients while cooking meat, poultry, and fish. According to the standards, these equipment must be replaced with knives and cutting boards with handles made of food-safe materials, such as plastic, to improve hygiene and facilitate cleaning.

Additionally, a specific, authorized space must be used just for food preparation, according to the draft regulations. This area must be kept open to service receivers and used only for food handling. In addition to the possibility of cameras and screens for surveillance, the Saudi publication Okaz claims that glass partitions can guarantee transparency.

Furthermore, raw food handling needs to have its own area in central kitchens. To reduce the chance of contamination, the arrangement should be made to support a one-way workflow from ingredient receipt and storage to preparation, cooking, packing, and distribution.

Additionally, the proposal forbids reusing food that has already been sold or served. To cut down on waste, it requires central kitchens and restaurants to collaborate with authorized food preservation groups to repurpose excess food.

Saudi Arabia has lately strengthened its laws pertaining to food safety. A new plan calls for harsher penalties for infractions, including a fine of SR 2,000 for food establishments found to be letting dogs or cats on their property.