JEDDAH: The Shoura Council is considering fining individuals and companies for wasting food, of between 5 and 20 percent of the cost of food bought.
Shoura member Ahmed Al-Mufreh, who submitted the proposal, said that he was motivated to take action after seeing people waste large amounts, which he said is a sin, a drain on natural resources, needless killing of animals and depriving the poor.
Al-Mufreh suggested that special bodies in the private sector be mandated to collect the fines, similar to the Saher traffic system, to limit this extravagance and wastage at social occasions, a local publication reported.
There would be a fine of 20 percent of the food on individuals and families, 15 percent on groups and companies, and 5 percent on those who hold events without authorization.
The legislation also requires food caterers and restaurants to provide suitable containers for storing food that can be taken away to people’s homes. There would be no penalties for those who take food along with them.
Al-Mufreh proposed that the collected fines be deposited in a special bank account of a national center specifically set up to save food. The center would then enact regulations and publish details about fines and other issues.
Another Shoura member, Mufleh Al-Rashidi, suggested adding an article that would oversee the spending in municipalities and villages. There was a lack of sufficiently trained staff in these locations to handle such administrative tasks, he said.
According to latest reports, the food wasted in Makkah could feed 17 percent of hungry children in 18 developing countries. There are an estimated 4.8 million starving children in Africa, Asia and Latin American countries, said Ahmad Al-Matrafi, director general of a charity food project in Makkah, has said.
Legal experts have called for a tough action against those who waste food and urged the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution (BIPP) to issue arrest warrants and take legal action against people who boast about their extravagance on social media.
Fine food wasters: Shoura member
Fine food wasters: Shoura member
Saudi health officials investigate food poisoning outbreak at Riyadh restaurant chain
- The outbreak was linked to the consumption of food from the local Hamburgini fast-food restaurant chain
- Clostridium botulinum contamination in food can cause botulism, a serious illness resulting from the neurotoxin the bacteria produces
RIYADH: Riyadh experienced a wave of food poisoning cases caused by Clostridium botulinum on Thursday.
The outbreak was linked to the consumption of food from the local Hamburgini fast-food restaurant chain, leading to several hospitalizations.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly provided an update on his X account on Saturday, detailing the impact of the outbreak and the steps being taken to manage it.
He said: “Six cases have fully recovered after receiving appropriate health care, and two have been safely discharged. However, 35 individuals remain hospitalized, with 28 of them in intensive care.”
Clostridium botulinum contamination in food can cause botulism, a serious illness resulting from the neurotoxin the bacteria produces. Botulism can cause severe complications, paralysis and death, if not treated promptly. CB is commonly associated with improperly processed canned goods, home-canned vegetables, and cured meats.
The symptoms of this type of food poisoning can range from mild gastrointestinal issues to more severe signs like double vision, difficulty breathing, and paralysis.
The outbreak was first brought to light on Thursday when Riyadh Municipality received a report of food poisoning cases linked to the Hamburgini restaurant chain.
In response, health oversight teams promptly initiated an investigation and began monitoring the situation. By 10 p.m. Thursday all locations, branches, and the main catering factory of the restaurant chain in Riyadh were ordered to close.
Strict health protocols were implemented to contain the outbreak and prevent additional cases of food poisoning.
Delivery services through the facility or via applications were suspended, and coordination efforts were initiated with key bodies, including the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Authority, and the Public Health Authority.
On Friday, Nawaf Al-Fozan, the founder and CEO of Hamburgini, uploaded an official video response to the restaurant’s Instagram page, confirming the chain is involved in the outbreak.
Even though the municipality ordered the closing of all restaurants and related facilities due to food poisoning, Al-Fozan said: “We took the initiative to close directly and cancel all orders from all sales outlets and delivery applications. However, the reason, of course, has not been disclosed by the authorities.”
He stated that Hamburgini operates according to global quality standards in food hygiene and safety. “We strive to provide an ideal experience for our customers with high quality and standard specifications. We wish health and safety to everyone who has suffered harm.”
Al-Fozan added: “We are working with all concerned authorities to take all necessary measures and precautions, and we will keep you updated.”
The Health Ministry emphasized the importance of obtaining information from official sources to ensure accurate and reliable guidance. It also expressed gratitude for the authorities’ efforts in reducing the risk of infection and treating those affected.
Riyadh prepares for WEF meeting on collaboration, growth and energy
- Meeting aims to bridge growing North-South divide and find ‘collaborative solutions to shared challenges’
- Will drive ‘action-oriented dialogue’ on three key themes: Inclusive Growth, Energy for Development, and Global Collaboration
RIYADH: Around 1,000 leaders from 92 countries will convene in Riyadh for the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development on Sunday and Monday.
Building on the inaugural Growth Summit in Switzerland last year, the Riyadh meeting will, according to the WEF, “promote forward-thinking approaches to interconnected crises, while remaining realistic about shorter-term trade-offs” and “work to bridge the growing North-South divide on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition and geopolitical shocks.”
Børge Brende, WEF’s President said in a press release: “With geopolitical tensions and socio-economic disparities deepening divides globally, international collaboration and purposeful dialogue has never been more urgent.”
The special meeting, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, provides an opportunity for leaders, according to Brende, to “turn ideas into action and unlock scalable solutions to the many interconnected challenges being faced.”
Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim said in the release: “At this global inflection point, revitalizing international collaboration has never been more important. In Saudi Arabia, the World Economic Forum has chosen an established and dynamic global platform for thought leadership, solutions and action, as the host of a critical meeting at such a critical moment.
“We are working to ensure that progress for one part of the world does not come at the expense of another. And we are committed to meeting this moment with a determination to co-author a shared future that is secure, stable and sustainable,” he continued.
The event’s three themes are: ‘A Compact for Inclusive Growth,’ ‘Catalyzing Action on Energy for Development,’ and ‘Revitalizing Global Collaboration.’
Participants will include Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait; Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Kamal Madbouly; Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani; Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Jordan’s Prime Minister; Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif; Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas; Qatari PM Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Stéphane Séjourné, French minister for Europe and foreign affairs; Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s federal minister of foreign affairs; David Cameron, UK secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs; Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund; UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag; and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Adhlal organizes tech workshops
RIYADH: Consulting services company Adhlal, a social enterprise based in the Kingdom, recently organized three technology workshops at the studios of Faiiida, an industrial design company, in Riyadh.
Tanja Ludwig, founder of w3-ff venture builder; Rakan Al-Shehri from Adhlal; and Abdulaziz Alobaid, who developed Faiiida, ran the workshops, which looked at ways in which technology, including artificial intelligence, can enhance creative workflow.
Ludwig, a German national who has visited Saudi Arabia several times, explored how blockchain’s “decentralized identities can empower Saudi design professionals.”
Alobaid’s workshop was on virtual and augmented reality design. Alobaid discussed creating items for the fashion, consumer, and automobile industries.
Al-Shehri’s workshop, titled “Al for design: Boosting creativity with smart tools,” explored how Al tools can help boost creativity in various fields of design.
Saudi authorities arrest 19,050 illegals in one week
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,050 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,987 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,367 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,696 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,011 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 61 percent were Ethiopian, 36 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 24 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Environment Week highlights KSA’s role in green era
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Week 2024 will begin on Sunday, emphasizing the Kingdom’s leadership in environmental preservation and sustainable development.
The event reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to environmental issues, aiming to raise awareness across society, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.
Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the event features workshops, lectures, field activities and awareness campaigns designed to encourage citizens to protect natural resources and support sustainable development.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli will inaugurate this year’s week, where he will discuss the Kingdom’s accomplishments in environmental protection and sustainability.
Saudi Arabia is among the countries prioritizing the environment and sustainable development, with comprehensive strategic plans to balance economic growth and environmental protection.
Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, the Kingdom has made significant strides toward a more sustainable ecological future.
The Kingdom has implemented a national strategy for the environment and introduced a series of national laws, strategies and plans to protect and sustain the environment, the SPA reported.
Additionally, the Kingdom has launched several groundbreaking national initiatives to promote environmental conservation, including the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.
The ministry has adopted a plan to develop Saudi Arabia’s waste sector, aiming to recycle up to 95 percent of waste and contribute SR120 billion ($32 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product. The plan also targets recycling up to 100 million tons annually to promote sustainability.
Since its launch in 2021, the Saudi Green Initiative has supported environmental protection, the transition to cleaner energy and sustainability programs. These efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions, increase afforestation, rehabilitate land and protect both terrestrial and marine areas.
Saudi Arabia’s environmental progress coincides with a 10 percent reduction in dust storms, linked to the establishment of reserves, increased rainfall, the rain-seeding program, the preservation of more than 94,000 hectares of land, and the planting of more than 49 million trees across the Kingdom. Additionally, the country has launched a global center for sustainability solutions using artificial intelligence, achieving an early weather warning accuracy rate of 78.76 percent.
The ministry encourages all government and private agencies, as well as community members, to participate in the event’s activities to foster a more sustainable future. This initiative aims to spread environmental awareness, promote community responsibility and encourage positive environmental behaviors.
