Abu Dhabi names, shames and shuts down restaurant

abu dhabi — A major fast food restaurant in Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah commercial area has been shut down for flouting hygiene rules. The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) ordered the closure of Chic Chicken Restaurant after it was caught violating food safety rules repeatedly.

The authority decided to disclose the name of the restaurant as part of its policy of ‘naming and shaming errant businesses’, which has helped improve food safety standards considerably in the emirate.

The ADFCA said the restaurant maintained poor hygiene standards which posed a threat to public health.

Thamer Al Qassimi, director of communication and community service at the ADFCA, said the restaurant faced action for violations such as presence of insects in the food store, poor cleanliness, non-provision of suitable containers for food items, and poor ventilation in the storage area.

“The restaurant was keeping cooked food in room temperature conditions and had poor freezing and refrigeration systems,” said Al Qassimi.

“Poor storage facilities for the uncooked food, untidy food preparation places, use of unsuitable cutting boards and knives and presence of insects in the food store were among other reasons for the closure of the restaurant.”

Lack of attention given to drainage of sewage, presence of cracks on the dining and storage floor and failure to train the workers were among other violations.