Food outlets pay Dh24K in fines in RAK

ras al khaimah — The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, which is getting tougher on erring food and health institutions, has slapped 114 outlets with hefty fines amounting to Dh24,350.

The erring shops were part of 1,120 food and health institutions inspected at different areas of the emirate last month, according to a top official.

Munzir bin Shukr Al Zaabi, director general of the RAK municipality, said that his staff inspectors carried out 411 inspection campaigns in February this year across the emirate.

“Up to 574 food and cosmetic items were confiscated and destroyed for being expired or unfit for human consumption.”

Some outlets, which are only concerned with their interests, ignored our repetitive warnings and disregarded the impact of their unfit products on customers’ health, he 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 Zaabi said hefty fines, along with temporary or permanent closure shall be forced against erring institutions. “More inspection campaigns shall be launched to get a better control on the RAK markets.”

Whereas none of the erring shops were shut down, 28 of them were issued warning letters, he said. “Some 86 other outlets were ordered to pay fines as per the type and impact of the violation they are involved in each.”