QATAR
Supreme Health Council imposes deadline on the phase-out of plastic packaging for hot foodstuffs / Grace period of 90 days
Discussions on the use of plastic bags reached new heights in the European Union following Italy’s controversial plastic bag ban, issued at the beginning of this year – see Plasteurope.com of 05.01.2011 – with the EU even mulling its own, union-wide ban (Plasteurope.com of 24.05.2011). Increasingly, health and environmental considerations about the use of plastic bags are beginning to make themselves felt in the Middle East, too.
After the government of the United Arab Emirates in May finalised plans for a switch to biodegradable plastic bags effective 2013 – see Plasteurope.com of 31.05.2011 – now Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health (www.sch.gov.qa/sch/En/) has reportedly set a 90-day deadline for bakeries, restaurants and other outlets selling food to phase out the use of plastic bags and wraps or newspapers used to package hot bread and other foodstuffs. According to the “Gulf Times”, stores and eateries have also been instructed to cease serving their goods in plastic, foam or cork cups. In addition, they are no longer allowed to use plastic bags to package non-frozen pastries or use plastic eating utensils.
The regulations are the result of the authority’s decision to activate a cabinet ruling dating back to 2009, Gulf Times reports, which restricts the use of plastics that come into contact with food, for fear that chemical components may leach. Once the grace period is over, the new stipulations will make Qatar the first country in the region to prohibit the use of plastics to serve hot food. Offenders are to be issued with a warning, and punishment in cases of non-compliance could go as far as closing down the business or having to appear in court.
The newspaper went on to say that Qatar’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs had been tasked with inspecting and monitoring the relevant outlets, while the country’s Standardisation and Laboratory Affairs Department would ensure enough alternative products were available to meet present packaging needs.
The news have met with a mixed response, with several bakeries reportedly asking for additional clarifications, specifically regarding what materials the government deems suitable for packaging foodstuffs. Gulf News reports of several bakers who have raised concerns that the ban would force them to hike the cost of bread and pastries to afford the new packaging. Several also expressed concerns about transporting goods wrapped in paper.
After the government of the United Arab Emirates in May finalised plans for a switch to biodegradable plastic bags effective 2013 – see Plasteurope.com of 31.05.2011 – now Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health (www.sch.gov.qa/sch/En/) has reportedly set a 90-day deadline for bakeries, restaurants and other outlets selling food to phase out the use of plastic bags and wraps or newspapers used to package hot bread and other foodstuffs. According to the “Gulf Times”, stores and eateries have also been instructed to cease serving their goods in plastic, foam or cork cups. In addition, they are no longer allowed to use plastic bags to package non-frozen pastries or use plastic eating utensils.
The regulations are the result of the authority’s decision to activate a cabinet ruling dating back to 2009, Gulf Times reports, which restricts the use of plastics that come into contact with food, for fear that chemical components may leach. Once the grace period is over, the new stipulations will make Qatar the first country in the region to prohibit the use of plastics to serve hot food. Offenders are to be issued with a warning, and punishment in cases of non-compliance could go as far as closing down the business or having to appear in court.
The newspaper went on to say that Qatar’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs had been tasked with inspecting and monitoring the relevant outlets, while the country’s Standardisation and Laboratory Affairs Department would ensure enough alternative products were available to meet present packaging needs.
The news have met with a mixed response, with several bakeries reportedly asking for additional clarifications, specifically regarding what materials the government deems suitable for packaging foodstuffs. Gulf News reports of several bakers who have raised concerns that the ban would force them to hike the cost of bread and pastries to afford the new packaging. Several also expressed concerns about transporting goods wrapped in paper.
04.08.2011 Plasteurope.com [219979-0]
Published on 04.08.2011