Municipal inspectors impound vegetable carts in Jeddah
Municipal inspectors seize vegetables from street vendors near the Shuaibi mosque in Al-Salama district of Jeddah on Saturday night. (AN photo)
JEDDAH: A food inspection team from the Jeddah municipality seized 73 vegetable selling carts and 12 truckloads of fresh produce as part of a crackdown on illegal vendors.
Officers also detained 10 people for working without a license in Al-Salama district near Shuaibi mosque last night.
This is part of the municipality?s efforts in combating street vendors selling on the roads and streets, said chairman of New Jeddah branch of the municipality Mansour AlGhamdi.
We tend to keep an eye on places where vendors tend to gather and sell products, often near mosques and shopping malls.
This Ramadan, the municipality made inspection visits to street vendors a priority.
We are carrying out round-the-clock inspections on places where street vendors are selling farm produce.
These products are sold at cheaper prices, and could endanger people?s health. Normally, seized vegetables are disposed of or given to charity, Al-Ghamdi said.
However, consumers are not convinced by the municipality?s initiative.
I dont have a driver and there is no major supermarket within walking distance from here,said Saudi citizen Um Mohammad.
Why are they attacking these vendors when they are bringing their valuable goods to people?s doorsteps? They should go for the bigger street vendors who are violating city regulations.
Fellow resident Mansour Ahmed agreed and called for an easing of restrictions on street sellers.
?It is the holy month of Ramadan and these people endure harsh sunlight and heat to sell fresh vegetables, which is convenient for us, he said.
Most people buying food from street vendors usually don?t think about hygiene, especially when purchasing cooked food such as lamb kidney, samousa and balila - it is part of the culture of eating out, said university student Maher Ahmad.