The written penalties for failing to comply with the rules administered by the muhtasib were extremely severe.  For instance, a baker could be thrown into his own oven if he was caught selling poisonous corn, and a cook could be boiled in his own cauldron if the authorities discovered him selling carrion or putrid meat. Despite these stern penalties it is doubtful how effectively the mutaship could police his large administrative territory, though these laws do illustrate that the government did appreciate the importance of high quality foods and the necessity of proper hygiene in public buildings.