Dh300,000 fine for marketing unhealthy food in educational institutions
FNC DRAFT LAW ALSO PROPOSES FINES OF DH10,000 TO DH50,000 FOR FOOD SUPPLIERS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Federal National Council (FNC) yeserday passed a draft law proposing fines of up to Dh300,000 for marketing or supplying unhealthy food for babies and children in educational institutions.
The bill approved during the FNC’s second virtual session dealing with public health stipulates fines of between Dh50,000 and Dh300,000 for anyone who markets baby foods that do not comply with UAE health standards.
It also proposes fines of between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000 for those who supply unhealthy food in educational institutions.
The bill, which has to be signed into law by President
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deals with nutritional labels of information, food supplements and herbal products.
It also stipulates that whoever publishes or broadcasts misleading food ads shall be penalised with fines of between Dh50,000 and Dh150,000.
Such advertisements must not make unrealistic claims that deceive the public, not cause harm to public health and must meet regulations issued by the UAE Cabinet.
Covid-19 drug licences
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, told the FNC that the ministry is fast-tracking issuing of licences for drugs to treat Covid-19 so that the process takes only a day. “The ministry is licensing drugs that meet health and safety standards,” he said.
Al Owais added that the ministry has approved a package of measures that contributed to reducing the validity of licences for drugs and medicines from two years to six months.