A strict warning has been given to the hospitality sector as the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry (MOIC) continues to remind outlets, cafés and restaurants against serving beverages in feeding bottles.
“These practices are considered contrary to commercial work and are inconsistent with the customs and traditions of the authentic Bahraini society,” it posted on social media last night.
The warning followed a call by a senior MP for urgent government action against what he dubbed an ‘alien baby feeding bottle’ trend in the Kingdom.
A joint inspection by the MOIC, Health Ministry and Interior Ministry, posted on Snapchat, led to the discovery of a violating café from which several bottles have been confiscated.
Parliament services committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari, wanted the ministries to immediately step in and ban cafés and restaurants from serving beverages in feeding bottles.
“This alien practice is unacceptable and has to be countered by strict action,” he said. “People shouldn’t blindly follow trends which violate our traditions and values and reflect improper adult conduct.”
He added that a group of MPs were looking into submitting an urgent proposal to ban it should the authorities concerned fail to act. “It’s an unwelcome phenomenon being hugely promoted on social media,” he added.
One of the cafés concerned posted on social media that both ministries have asked it to stop and that they will comply. The MOIC has also stated that its officials will continue to carry out inspections on several places featured in images circulating online.
The neighbouring UAE has also cracked down on the craze, with authorities in Dubai also directing coffee shops to stop serving beverages in baby bottles.
It has been suggested that their use was violating precautionary measures put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The directive came after the authorities found visitors bringing baby bottles to cafes to fill up with coffee and other beverages. Photographs uploaded online showed the drinks being placed inside milk bottles, normally used for feeding hungry babies with infant formula, before serving to customers.
Café owners claim it is just a fun marketing ploy that appears to have caught on.
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