6 shops shut over stale food in Sharjah
sharjah — In a bid to ensure food safety ahead of Ramadan, the Sharjah Municipality has intensified inspections of food establishments in the emirate and shut six shops for selling expired food products.
Omar Al Muhairi, director of food monitoring section of the municipality, said the violation was reported by the public health department of the municipality, which ensures safe food products are sold in the markets
“The health inspectors were conducting routine checkups in the market to ensure the safety of food products. These shops were found illegally changing and editing the expiry date of the already expired products,” he said.
The shops were closed in cooperation with the economic development department to take necessary actions against their owners.
“Ensuring customer health is our priority. We are conducting regular campaigns to ensure the products in the market are safe for human consumption and that they are in accordance with the stipulated specifications. With the holy month of Ramadan fast approaching, we will intensify campaigns on traditional kitchens, hotels and sweet shops,” he added. Al Muhairi also noted that the inspectors had conducted 42,021 inspections in 2017. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali Mussabah Al Tunaiji, director-general of Al Dhaid Municipality, said the civic body has carried out inspections at restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias.
Al Tunaiji said: “A special inspection campaign targeting restaurants with shawarma counters was conducted to ensure they are implementing mandatory specifications while preparing and handling shawarmas, to prevent food poisoning cases. We will also introduce to them the latest methods of food preservation and storage.
“We also highlight ways to avoid transmission of diseases. The programme focuses on the importance of applying specific conditions with the aim of catering to the needs of the society,” he said.
These (6) shops were found illegally changing and editing the expiry date of already expired products.”
Omar Al Muhairi, director of the food monitoring section, Sharjah Municipality