Chain restaurants and food franchises have been detected by the Ministry of Health (MINSA) failing to comply with sanitary measures within their kitchens.
According to the director of the Metropolitan Region of the Metropolitan Health Region, Israel Cedeño, the vast majority of these establishments are repeat offenders in these offenses, so they are sent to his office to be fined.
Among the faults found by the MINSA are not having a sanitary permit, a health and food handler’s card, and decadent hygiene measures in the kitchens.
“Many times that I have had to sanction them, they start with excuses. Not at this time there are no excuses, neither for filthy kitchens, nor for restaurants without sanitary permits,” he said, assuring that the fines reach up to $5,000 dollars.
He stressed that it has also been necessary to temporarily close restaurants for 30 to 90 days, during this time those in charge of the establishments must correct the irregularities for a subsequent review by the MINSA, which verifies that it has been corrected and allows the reopening.
He added that so far in 2022 four stores have been temporarily closed, which if they are repeat offenders could face definitive closure.
Cedeño’s statements were made during the verification and health promotion operation carried out at mass concentration points (pier, transport terminal) and mobilization sites to islands or other provinces for the celebration of Holy Week.
