Salalah – Directorate General for Consumer Protection in Dhofar, in cooperation with Dhofar Municipality and Directorate General of Labour, carried out a joint inspection campaign targeting coconut stalls in Salalah recently.

The drive is part of continued efforts to ensure a safe consumer environment and check compliance with health and commercial regulations during the peak khareef tourism season.

Inspection teams visited 56 coconut stalls and detected several violations. Officials detained individuals for illegally adding sugar to coconut drinks and confiscated two banned substances used to speed up banana ripening, which pose health risks.

Several vendors were also found operating without clearly displayed price lists, violating consumer protection rules.

Ten stalls were ordered to shut down for failing to meet health and technical requirements, while 52 wooden tables used for cutting coconuts were removed for breaching safety and hygiene standards.

Consumer Protection Authority stressed that the ongoing campaign is part of a wider strategy to raise public awareness, prevent unsafe practices and safeguard consumer welfare.

Officials urged all vendors to comply with relevant laws and confirmed that similar inspections will continue in coordination with other agencies to protect public health and maintain high standards throughout the tourism season.