Sharjah Municipality steps up food safety inspection campaigns

sharjah — The Sharjah Municipality has intensified its inspection campaigns targeting public kitchens and hotels to ensure that they comply with the required health standards.

A working mechanism has been put in place to ensure comprehensive inspection of the food establishments during Ramadan.

The inspections resulted in warnings issued to 11 hotels, and 27 warnings on 31 violations to public kitchens.

Shaza Al Mualla, director of the Health Department at the municipality, said that due to the high food consumption during this month, they are keen to ensure maximum safety for the sake of public health.

The campaign is particularly targeting public kitchens and hotels as they see the maximum turnout of diners.

The inspection focuses on the fitness and hygiene of workers; methods of receiving, processing and preparing foodstuff; provision for suitable storage conditions; disposal of damaged or spoilt food; hygiene monitoring; proper ventilation; methods of pest control and other essential health requirements.

Actions taken during the inspection depend on the condition of the establishment, size, and its nature. Omar AlMuhairi, director of the Food Control Department , said that the inspection campaign included visits to 20 hotels, out of which warnings were issued to 11, with follow-up on the establishments’ corrective action.

Besides inspections on the popular kitchens in Sharjah, all hypermarkets were also reminded of the obligation to provide adequate and safe food storage conditions.

Public cooperation in the supervision process is encouraged. Comments or complaints can be reported on the municipality’s hotline number 993.