These requirements aim to raise the quality of services and improve the working environment, in line with the aspirations of the community and enhance food safety standards. These requirements aim to raise the quality of services and improve the work environment, in line with the aspirations of the community and enhance food safety standards, as part of the ministry's efforts to regulate commercial activities and raise their operational efficiency.
Ministry of Municipalities and Housing <The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing issued a ministerial decision to adopt a new list of requirements for grocery stores, catering and supermarkets. These requirements, which come into effect immediately upon their official publication, are part of the ministry's efforts to ensure a healthy and safe shopping environment, while giving existing establishments a 180-day corrective period to comply with the new standards.
Decision Details
The decision establishes a clear framework that defines the minimum square footage for each category of retail establishments:
Grocery (Minimarket): At least 24 square meters.
<Supermarket: 100 square meters.
Hypermarket: 500 square meters minimum.
These areas are a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing a license, as the Ministry believes that sufficient space allows the implementation of health and safety standards and facilitates the movement of shoppers within the establishment.
Permitted and prohibited activities
<The new regulation details the activities that each category may engage in; most notably the prohibition of selling all tobacco products in grocery stores, while allowing them in catering and supermarkets according to the controls. The requirements also allow grocery stores, catering and supermarkets to sell phone accessories, recharge cards, children's toys and small household appliances, but with conditions that vary according to the size of the establishment and its license.On the other hand, there are activities that are not allowed for each category. <On the other hand, there are activities that may be practiced only after an official addition to the license - such as fresh meat, bakeries, and electrical and electronic appliances - while operating a semi-automatic or automatic bakery requires a separate license, due to the high food safety requirements for this activity. Pharmaceutical activities are restricted to supermarkets only, with a minimum area of 25 square meters.
Regulatory and health objectives
<The Ministry believes that setting a minimum space limit and banning tobacco in small grocery stores strengthens control over product quality and adherence to storage and display standards. This step also contributes to minimizing uncontrolled points of sale of tobacco products, which has a positive impact on public health and limits the access of these products to young age groups.Ministry believes that setting a minimum space limit and banning tobacco in small grocery stores strengthens product quality control and adherence to storage and display standards.
Corrective grace period and opportunities for improvement
The ministry has given all existing establishments 180 days to regularize their status; an opportunity for grocery, catering and supermarket owners to rehabilitate their spaces, complete additional licenses, and invest in expanding some departments - such as cheese, refrigerated meat, and bakery corners - that can increase their profits if safety and licensing requirements are met.The ministry has given all existing establishments 180 days to regularize their status.
