29 patisseries, roasteries fined in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah - All shops across the emirate must strictly observe set rules, warns official

The Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has issued fines on 29 patisseries and roasteries and issued warning letters against some others for flouting health and environment rules.
Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, Acting Director of the Public Health Department, said the department is fully prepared for the Eid rush and had intensified inspection campaigns to protect customers' health.
"All shops across the emirate must strictly observe set rules; or will have to face warning letters, hefty fines and even closure, depending on the impact and repetition of the violations detected."
Of the 70 patisseries and roasteries targeted, 29 were found to be ignoring cleanliness, storage and display rules, and were ordered to amend their position, she added. The pre-Eid campaign, which started last week, will continue during the holidays. "These inspections are part of the regular annual inspection plan meant to ensure that the food on sale are fit for human consumption."
Another inspection campaign will target the three central markets of cattle, fish, as well as vegetables & fruits in the emirate. "All the three markets will be open during the Eid holidays."
Civic inspectors and quality controllers will be available during the working hours to inspect all the 70 butcheries and 27 poultry shops in the market.
Tunaiji said the civic body had conducted 553 inspection campaigns on the food and health institutions in the emirate during the holy month of Ramadan.
"These included 165 institutions registered under the Health and Environment Control Section, particularly salons. The inspectors seized items being used after the expiry date, undated items and those of unknown origin, and nabbed unlicensed staff without mandatory health cards."
All the dye houses and laundries in the emirate were also inspected, she said. "Some of them were fined for failing to observe cleanliness and sanitation regulations."
The food control section has also run 388 inspection campaigns on food institutions, spanning restaurants, hotels and factories. "Some were fined for flouting cleanliness, preparation and storing rules."
Last month, the civic body had shut down a bakery here in response to a complaint from an Emirati woman who found some bugs in a packet of bread she bought from the outlet.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah