62 food shops in Ras Al Khaimah fined for flouting rules

Ras Al Khaimah - The municipal inspectors, equipped with judicial power, also examined the trade licenses, their validity, and compliance with the food activities permitted, she added.

The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has fined 62 shops in two days for flouting rules and regulations. The fruits, vegetables and meat outlets failed to observe the storage and chilling conditions, according to a senior official.
Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of public health department, RAK Municipality, said they launched a special campaign against all the fruits, veggies, and meat outlets over the last two days.
"The campaign targeted these important outlets to ensure that they meet the standard specifications and health practices for selling fruits and veggies by observing the storage and freezing conditions when receiving, displaying and selling."
The municipal inspectors, equipped with judicial power, also examined the trade licenses, their validity, and compliance with the food activities permitted, she added.
"We have also inspected the validity of the workers and sellers' health cards, let alone their uniforms, and cleanliness."
Al Tunaiji said all the government central markets in the emirate have been inspected. "Those included the Al Daqdaqa, Al Muairidh, Al Nakheel, and Ras Al Khaimah markets."
Out of 91 fruits, veggies, and meat shops inspected, only 29 met the set requirements, she said. "The remaining 62 outlets failed to meet the due terms and conditions."
Elaborating, she said 35 food institutions were visited in Al Daqdaqa and Al Nakheel markets. "Only four of them met the set health conditions necessary for continuing their practices."
Up to 56 shops were inspected at Al Muairidh and Ras Al Khaimah markets, she disclosed. "Only 25 of these met the due safety conditions."
The department of public health and environment spares no effort to protect customers' health and rights, she affirmed.
"It is our duty to ensure that the products available in the market are health and meet the set standards."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 

• Ras Al Khaimah