In Uzbekistan, new sanitary and hygienic requirements for food trade enterprises (SanPiN No. 0068-24) have been adopted. The Ministry of Justice has registered the corresponding resolution of the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being and Public Health, as reported by "Gazeta.uz".
The new rules replace the SanPiN from September 10, 1996, and apply to all food trade enterprises, regardless of ownership, including trading complexes, food stores, small retail outlets, food bases, warehouses, and storage facilities.
Some requirements hindering business activities have been excluded. For instance, businesses no longer need permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being Committee to make changes to the approved list of food products, or to coordinate with the committee for selecting land for building a trading enterprise.
According to the new document, food trade enterprises should not be located in areas with a high risk of product contamination (near places where household waste is collected, livestock enterprises, leather and bone processing facilities).
Sanitary and hygienic requirements for the premises of trading enterprises have been specified. For example, wall and floor surfaces must be made of moisture-resistant and non-toxic materials, and the appearance of mold on the ceiling, walls, and equipment is not allowed. Windows must be equipped with easily cleanable screens for protection against insects.
Enterprises must be connected to centralized domestic and drinking water supply, and in the absence of centralized water supply, an autonomous water supply system must be installed.
Separate storage areas must be provided for solid and household waste generated during the preparation, storage, and processing of food products. Waste containers should be emptied at least twice a day, and garbage on the premises should be removed at least once a day, with empty garbage containers washed and disinfected.
The document also sets requirements for the personal hygiene of employees, who must wash and disinfect their hands with liquid soap:
- before starting work;
- after each break in work;
- when transitioning from one process to another;
- after touching dirty items;
- twice before and after using the toilet;
- before putting on clean special clothing (including footwear) and starting work.
If workers have open wounds, scratches, cuts, or other skin injuries, the wound must be covered with a plaster.
The changes will come into effect three months after the document is announced. More details about the document can be found by following the link.
