RAK raids identify 87 errant eateries

ras al khaimah – As many as 87 food outlets were found to have violated rules following an inspection of 1,329 food and health institutions across the emirate last month.

Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of the public health department, said: “None of the erring shops was shut down or fined while 37 of them were issued warning letters. Up to 33 cosmetic items and 59 food products were confiscated and destroyed for being expired or unfit for human consumption.”

Al Tunaiji added that the inspectors have also impounded 11 vehicles for selling foods on the street. “The public is urged to show no cooperation with street vendors, who are mostly coming from nearby emirates, as they were not licensed, fail to meet due health conditions, posing a grave risk to people’s health.”

Official records show that the RAK Municipality issued 2,391 health cards to workers of commercial entities last month. “Up to 125 validity certificates for exporting foodstuff were issued in June as well.”

The central municipal lab has received 579 samples, including 413 food and 166 water samples, for analysis, she said. “Up to 556 of these proved valid while 23 failed to meet the UAE standards.”