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Foodstuff importers given six months

ABU DHABI — A six-month period has been given to importers and foodstuff factories in the UAE to rectify violations of UAE specifications, so that consumers can get the quality of food that they expect in the local marketplace.

"The grace period will reduce the financial damage that these companies would suffer," said an official source at the Abu Dhabi Food Control Department, the food inspection arm of the Abu Dhabi civic body.

Officials said earlier Abu Dhabi markets had many food products that violated the 'nutritional card' regulations as stipulated in UAE specifications of 1996. Officials did not say when the grace period started, but said importers and manufacturers have ample time to comply with the rules.

The 'nutritional card' must contain basic information on the food product, like the brand, origin, production and expiry dates and other details. Arabic should also be one of the languages on the card. More than 30 food items were on the violators' list, including juices, milk, ice cream, spices, pastries, jams, jelly, energy drinks and others. These products were made in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, Germany, UK and the Philippines.

The authorities recently ordered Shawarma and other traditional fast food outlets to move their food preparation equipment including grills inside the limits of their outlets. They are currently involved in a campaign to ban grocery shops, also called convenience stores, from selling fruit and vegetables from September 3. The moves, they said, are aimed at protecting public health.

• UAE