Penjwen district bakery inspection reveals ‘violations’

PENJWEN—A special committee established by the Penjwen district authority has conducted inspections of bakeries and bread shops, revealing numerous health violations.

Sarwar Karim, the committee’s chair, informed 964media that many infractions pertained to the weight of bread loaves, which failed to meet standards mandated by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance. Under these guidelines, bakeries offering eight loaves of bread for 1,000 dinars must ensure each loaf weighs 90 grams. Conversely, establishments selling six loaves for 1,000 dinars are required to have each loaf weigh 120 grams. These regulations apply to all local sub-governorates.

Karim noted, “We have informed the establishments in breach of these standards. They must report to the sub-governorate to implement the necessary corrective actions and address their violations.”

He further highlighted the committee’s comprehensive makeup, including health, veterinary, security, and agriculture department representatives. The health representative, in particular, assesses compliance with the health standards of the facilities and has raised concerns about several establishments.

Many bakers across the Kurdistan Region have expressed displeasure at the price caps on bread, which some see as arbitrary rules that do not take into account the differences in cost and ingredients from bakery to bakery.

An earlier investigation into bread prices in Penjwen uncovered price variations within the district itself, with six loaves selling for 1,000 dinars in Upper Penjwen and eight loaves at the same price in Lower Penjwen.

The terms Upper and Lower Penjwen denote the geographical distinctions within the district, referring to its higher and lower areas, respectively.

During a visit to a bakery in Upper Penjwen, owner Salah Tofiq told 964media, “We adhere to a specific directive from the sub-governorate that allows us to sell six loaves for 1,000 dinars, provided each loaf weighs 120 grams. If the loaves weigh 90 grams, we sell eight for 1,000 dinars.”

Tofiq also mentioned the greater demand for their bread, attributing it to the differences in loaf weight and the quality of their bread, suggesting a consumer preference for their products.

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