Charities refuse unknown and near-expiry food contributions

ras al khaimah — Charity societies across the country — though open to receiving all types of contributions in general — have refused some foodstuff donations for being near expiry date or of unknown origins during the holy month of Ramadan.

“The trusted sources include licensed kitchens and restaurants,” said Abdullah Al Tunaiji, secretary-general of Al Rahmah for Charity Association in RAK.

Al Rahma for Charity Association does not accept any foods from philanthropists or foodstuff institutions, he added. “The association had earlier sent a list of 15 kitchens and restaurants to RAK municipality’s food control section to get approval for contracting the licensed ones to provide Iftar meals during Ramadan.

“The RAK civic body has approved only 12 out of 15 kitchens and refused three outlets which proved to have failed to abide by the set health and environment standards.”

Al Tunaiji said that the association is running 11 Ramadan tents across the emirate. “Staff representatives are distributing 2,100 free Iftars on a daily basis at these 11 tents.”

Mohammed Jakkah, secretary -general of the RAK Charity Foundation, said there is no room for expired or unknown foodstuff. “We only deal with the kitchens licensed by the food control section of the RAK municipality,” he said. “The foundation contributes 1,150 free Iftar meals at seven Ramadan tents across the emirate.”

Nahla Al Ahmad, manager of Al Maktoum foundation centres, said they have enforced strict terms and conditions on donated foodstuff.

“These must be fit for human consumption and valid for at least 30 days.”

Anyone — whether an individual or company — wishes to contribute food to fasting people, they can do the same in cash, she indicated. “Iftar coupons — which are Dh15 each — can be contributed instead to have a better check on the food being served to people,” she disclosed. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com