The Muscat Municipality has rounded up a group of expatriates for selling cooked food without licence.

The civic body has also shut down a popular bakery in Ruwi after its officials found rodents there. The Ibri Municipality has closed 42 establishments and destroyed 3000kg of rotten food. It has served notices to 698 establishments for violating the health and hygiene norms.

A Muscat Municipality spokesperson said 'A joint inspection team comprising officials from our Bausher unit and the Public Prosecution conducted the raid. Several expatriates were rounded up for selling cooked food illegally. The inspection team seized 495 bags of foodstuff items 143kg frozen food and 43kg of vegetables and fruits.'

The spokesperson said that the raid at a house in Al Ansab was conducted on the basis of a tip-off. In another instance a leading bakery in Ruwi was closed after health inspectors found rodents there he added. In a raid conducted in Muttrah four restaurants were closed after they were found violating health and hygiene norms.

The spokesperson added that the municipality has decided to increase surveillance on restaurants and coffee chops. Municipality's inspection teams will also monitor fruit and vegetable markets including the wholesale market in Mawaleh.

A wholesale dealer at Mawaleh market said that he knows about a group that sells rotten and dumped fruits and vegetables to hotels and restaurants at throwaway prices.