Health Ministry Closes Ahuzat Hayarden Hotel Kitchen Over Safety Failures

The Health Ministry ordered the immediate closure of the Ahuzat Hayarden hotel kitchen in Yesud HaMa'ala after a surprise inspection found conditions it said posed an immediate danger to diners. Inspectors found 45 kilograms of expired sirloin, destroyed about 400 kilograms of food, and reported prepared foods without labeling or documented rapid chilling. The inspection also found a meat freezer accumulating ice, an improper food-flow layout, serving units without thermometers, and dirty cup baskets in the dining room. The order followed a January hearing at which the operator had promised to correct similar deficiencies; officials said the problems had recurred.