Sellers of Sliced or Cut Watermelons and Melons to Be Fined: New Bill

A draft legislation published on the unified website for the publication of legal acts proposes to regulate the sale of watermelons and melons. With the acceptance of the bill amending the "Law on Trade and Services," it will be prohibited to sell watermelons and melons when sliced or cut into pieces. The draft has been developed by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia.

According to the justification of the draft, the necessity of such a decision arises from the current widespread practice of selling watermelons and melons cut into pieces to display their ripeness. This practice can lead to the penetration of microorganisms, including conditional pathogens, into the flesh of the cut pieces, which can cause various infectious diseases and food poisoning.

The reasoning of the draft states that it is planned to regulate the conditions for selling watermelons and melons and establish a provision prohibiting their sale in cut or piece form, as sellers often do not adhere to hygienic rules when selling in these forms.

"There is no guarantee that the watermelon or melon was washed before cutting or whether the knife used for cutting was washed or if any other product was cut beforehand. In this context, not following hygienic norms, especially in hot weather, creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms, causing various intestinal disorders," the draft mentions.

Sale of watermelons and melons sliced or in pieces will incur a fine amounting to fifteen times the minimum wage for individuals, and one hundred times the minimum wage for legal entities.