Plans mulled to regulate home-based food businesses to ward off mishaps

New regulations apart from an annual fee of BD100 could be imposed on home-based food businesses, it is learned. The move follows the recent Sitra incident in which three women lost their lives while preparing Eid lunch.

Although it is unclear whether the victims were preparing food to be sold outside, the incident has sparked calls from the part of municipal councilors to regulate home-based food businesses to ensure safety in residential areas. A draft law is expected to be presented by a group of municipal councilors to the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry highlighting the new regulations to be imposed on home-based food businesses.

Councilors have urged the ministry to take strict action so that safety standards are not flouted by these businesses. They are also demanding workshops for those who carry out such businesses so that safety gets a top priority. The women died after breathing excessive amount of harmful gas while preparing food. According to sources, the victims were spotted fighting for their lives by the family members.

They were later declared dead at a nearby clinic while two others present at the house were rescued and rushed to a government hospital. Those admitted to the hospital, girls aged 16 and 17, are recovering and have been able to communicate with their parents. Sources said they are the nieces of the victims.

People residing in the locality had told Tribune that the mishap occurred on the second day of Eid at around 8 am. It is suspected that the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, in the kitchen could have led to the death of the victims.