55 outlets fined in one month in RAK

ras al khaimah — The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has slapped 55 outlets with fines amounting to Dh20,575 in one month. The erring shops were part of the 1,337 food and health institutions that were inspected in different areas of the emirate in June this year, according to a top official.

Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of the Public Health Department, said that inspectors carried out 356 inspection campaigns in June on a 24-hour basis, across the emirate. “Up to two cosmetic items and 16 food products were confiscated and destroyed for being expired or unfit for human consumption,” Al Tunaiji said.

“Some outlets here turn deaf ears to our repetitive warning letters and are only concerned about their interests, disregarding the impact of their unfit products on customers’ health,” she added. “The RAK municipal inspectors deal with no tolerance with any violation related to people’s health, and keep a close eye on all food and health institutions across the emirate.” Al Tunaiji warned that hefty fines, along with temporary or permanent closure, shall be imposed on erring institutions. “More inspection campaigns shall be launched to get a better control on the RAK markets.”

Whereas none of the erring shops was shut down, 45 of them were issued warning letters, he disclosed. “Some 55 other outlets were ordered to pay different fines, amounting to Dh20,575, as per the type and impact of the violation they are involved in each.”