126 food outlets face action in Sharjah

sharjah — Al Dhaid Municipality has issued fines to 33 food outlets and warned 93 others for flouting the public health conditions and regulations.

Ahmed Mussabah Al Tunaiji, director of health department at the municipality, said the violations were detected during the 149 inspections targeting groceries, supermarkets, cafeterias and restaurants to ensure food safety during this summer.

He added that the inspection campaigns aim to ensure that the employees of the outlets comply with the specified conditions during the processing and delivery of services to customers. It will also make sure that employees adhere to conditions related to keeping food safe and healthy. He added that the municipality is working closely to intensify the field presence of municipal inspectors in the food market to monitor the processing, selling, purchasing and storage of food items, as well as ensuring the cleanliness of premises and workers to ensure food safety, especially during the summer.

He pointed out that the violations varied from the shutdown of air conditioners and refrigerators at night and display of expired foodstuffs to lack of commitment to cleanliness and personal hygiene.

“The procedures of action against the violating outlets include issuance of warnings and fines and closure of activity, according to the size and damage of the committed offence,” he said.

Al Tunaiji stressed the keenness of the municipality to organise awareness campaigns on a regular basis for food outlets and for consumers to introduce the latest methods in food preservation and storage, ways to avoid transmission of diseases and the importance of applying specific conditions and hygiene.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com