Knowledge

Guidelines for Qatar Retail shops to comply with Baladiya and avoid fines

Qatar is one of the best countries practicing high levels of food safety and standards.  Consumers are given very high priority as it is directly associated with individual wellbeing.  In so many ways Freshness, accessibility, Container, producing / Storing environment, handling way, handling time decides the food quality before it is consumed.

  • Food Handlers like Shop owners, Inventory controllers, Traders should know how to manage their business operations that comply with regulations in Qatar.
  • For Retails / Baqala / grocery shops, Supermarket, Hypermarket.

Business awareness is unavoidable.  Every Retail outlet should have its own process that will comply not just cover the regulations.  It must accommodate so many dimensions of business say Marketing, Customer Experience, Market uniqueness…. 

Ignoring or missing any simple measures will lead to big accidents in business.  We listed a few suggestions to improvise the process as below.

How to comply 

  • Always place a Baladiya book in the customer service or font area.
  • Ensure the food handlers medical certificates are valid, (Specially for those staff who are working in Vegetable, Deli, Fish, Mutton, Chocolate & Spices counter & FMCG food sections).
  • Provide the Hairnet, Apron & gloves to the staff who are working in a section like (Produce counter, Mutton, Fish, deli & Chocolate & spices counter).
  • Always Keep the Vegetable preparation area Neat & clean.
  • Ensure the vegetable weighing machine is configured and contains approved stamps from baladiya.
  • Always keep the Fish & mutton preparation area neat & clean.
  • Make sure the Aisles and preparation area of the Deli section is neat and clean.
  • Ensure the fruits packed in trays in the vegetable counter are pulled out from display before it expires.
  • Ensure that everyday prices of vegetables and fish are updated as per the baladiya prices.
  • Avoid placing signage boards on displays which contain word “offer”, without prior approval from baladiya.
  • Always check the Expiry dates of products and pull it out from the shelf based on the shelf life given below.
    • 1 year and above – 1 month before expiry
    • 6 months – 15 days before expiry
    • 3 months – 1 week before expiry
    • 1 month – 3 days before expiry
    • Bakery & Dairy – 1 day before expiry.
  • Products should be displayed minimum 5” inches above from the ground as well as in the back store.
  • Check the chiller and freezer temp. randomly in a day (once in a 4 hours).
  • FMCG food and nonfood products should be stored in two different storerooms.
  • Always highlight the expiry area with signage boards.
  • Update the shelf edge labels upon the Changes occurring in selling price.
  • Collect the baladiya approved letter from the suppliers while receiving the special promotional items.
  • Shelf label or on top of the product display the list of prices of goods and services in Arabic, with the possibility of including other languages, when these goods/services are marketed or offered to avoid legal accountability
  • Ministry of Commerce and Industry website contains Legislation, Regulations and Decisions are listed here 
Violations List
Failing to display prices
Failing to use Arabic in descriptive data relating to the product
Failing to comply with the mandatory price bulletin of fish and seafood. (Click here for more information)
Failing to comply with the mandatory price bulletin of vegetables and fruits. (Click here for more information)
Failing to offer a service warranty for an appropriate period, refunding customers, or reoffering the service in an appropriate manner
Failing to comply with safety-related conditions and the terms of the document or contract signed with the consumer
Failing to input the stock of strategic goods into the strategic inventory management and control system
Failing to exchange the product or refund customers
Failing to note all descriptive data relating to the product
Failing to separate discounted products from other goods
Failing to issue invoices in Arabic
Non-cooperation with judicial officers
Failing to clearly define the service’s data, features, characteristics, and prices
Failing to comply with public health and safety requirements
Failing to adhere to religious values, customs, and traditions
The use of subsidized flour (extracted at 77%) in the production of bread other than “Baladi” and Arabic bread
False or misleading product display, description, and advertising
Charging customers higher than the advertised price
Offering promotions without obtaining the necessary license from the concerned department
Offering discounts without obtaining the necessary license from the concerned department
Expired products

Contact Details:

Let’s do conscious and sensible business.  Meaning not just a manager or business owner should be conscious about their business every element being participating in the business should have that awareness.

Create a Daily checklist for every role and KPI that covers the overall process.

Qsale team is preparing an app/utilities that cover a few and enhances the awareness.  Will be released shortly.  Follow us on https://qsalepos.qa

Have you opted for this service before? What are your thoughts about it? Do let us know in the comments section below. Do share this article – it keeps us going!

Source: Hukoomi, MOCI

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