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Ajman Municipality directs outlets to ensure best storage for food items

SHARJAH — The Ajman Municipality has directed food outlets to ensure the best storage condition to keep food items safe and healthy for consumers during the summer.

During its continuous food inspection campaign, the municipality’s health inspectors have ensured that all food items have been stored at a suitable temperature to prevent deterioration due to bacterial growth which could be harmful for the consumers.

Saif Salim Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of the Ajman Municipality, said that the municipality’s top priority is to ensure public health in the emirate, so it is very keen to intensify its inspection of food outlets and restaurants.

He lamented that many food sellers, outlets and groceries neglected the stipulated food storage conditions and rules specified by the civil defence.

Sometimes they switch off the refrigerators and other cooling systems during the night to save electricity. “They must realise that some of the food items such as dairy products and all kinds of meat require high cooling and may develop poisonous bacteria if cooling is inadequate. This may cause food poisoning to consumers.” he added.

Al Shamsi pointed out that health section of the Ajman Municipality had asked the companies transporting fruits, vegetables and other food items to keep their vehicles in top condition with proper cooling and refrigeration arrangements and hygienic upkeep of the storage facility.

“The food transport companies would have to follow strict specifications and conditions to ensure food safety,” he stressed.

He said that all vehicles carrying foodstuffs were required to have a built-in cooling system. The municipality has specified different temperature degrees for various types of food items, including meat, vegetables, fruits and fish and the transporters have to strictly adhere to these conditions.

Fish should be placed in separate compartments inside the vehicle and it should not be mixed with other commodities, he said. He urged transporters to follow the specifications for technical and hygienic condition of their vehicles.

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