DOHA: The government has warned bakeries against breaching weight-related specifications set for the traditional Arabic bread ‘khubz’ or face action.
‘Khubz’ is a dietary staple and a popular appendage to many Arab and Asian meals and being priced at QR1 per packet, it is a favourite food of the common man.
The price of the traditional ‘khubz’ that are sold packed in polythene wraps for QR1 a pack, has been controlled by the government for decades.
It is because the state provides subsidy to the tune of millions of riyals a year to bakeries that make these breads. The flour for ‘khubz’ is made available by the government to the bakeries at much cheaper rates. The other kinds of bread and bakery products are sold by the bakeries at uncontrolled prices.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said it has adopted a tough stance against the bakeries after a massive crackdown on sales outlets, including sweet shops and grocery stores, revealed violations of weight-related specifications of the traditional Arabic bread.
“Our inspectors conducted raids on some 217 shops in Doha, Al Wakra and Al Khor in a recent swoop and found some four violating rules,” said the ministry.
The ministry said it is warning the bakeries to stick to weight-linked specifications for ‘khubz’.
“We are continuing with the crackdown on the bakeries and other outlets to ensure they follow health, safety and other rules,” said the ministry.
Describing specifications, it said the small ‘khubz’ must weigh at least 71.5 grammes per piece and there should be a minimum 10 pieces in a packet costing QR1.
The diameter of the small ‘khubz’ must be at least 17cm. At least 14 pieces make a kg. The medium ‘khubz’ should not be less than 25cm in diameter.
The bigger one must weigh 143 grammes each and its diameter should not be less than 26cm. A packet costing QR1 must have at least seven pieces.
The other, somewhat bigger, must be 30cm in diameter and five pieces must be wrapped in a packet whose retail price is QR1.
All ‘khubz’ (the term meaning bread in Arabic) whose packs are available at the subsidised rate of QR1 each, must be round and must not be overcooked.
The Ministry said it is watching and will launch crackdowns to catch and punish violators. ‘Khubz’ is perhaps the only commodity whose price has remained unchanged over decades due to the state subsidy.
The Peninsula
