Coronavirus in UAE: Follow food safety rules in Ramadan or face hefty fines

Top Stories

ramadan 2020, uae fights coronavirus, covid19 in sharjah, ramadan rules uae, ramadan uae, ramadan fines

Sharjah/Ajman - 'Inspections have been intensified to monitor such vendors and also small food outlets'

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sat 2 May 2020, 3:45 PM

Last updated: Sun 3 May 2020, 9:08 AM

Restaurants have been warned not to sell Iftar snacks outside their premises and also to keep a check on the food quality. Municipalities of Sharjah, Al Dhaid and Ajman have begun a crackdown on mobile vendors selling unhygienic foods for cheap prices in residential areas and workers' accommodations.
"Selling poor-quality food around street corners usually increase during Ramadan. This year, it has continued despite the restrictions of Covid-19 in place," said a Sharjah Municipality official.
"Vendors selling Ramadan specials - hummus, samosa, pies, pancakes, falafel, pakodas and other Asian snacks - keep their snacks outside the premises and get exposed to heat and dust. Workers often rely on these vendors as it is cheaper than buying at restaurants," he added.
"Inspections have been intensified to monitor such vendors and also small food outlets that function without obtaining licences from the municipality. Most of them used expired ingredients, unfit for human consumption, to make snacks, which lead to food poisoning."

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
. . ???? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????????. ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ????????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ??? ??? ????????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ????????. . Sharjah City Municipality has suspended the permits for food display outside premises during the month of Ramadan, as part of its precautionary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 and to safeguard the consumers health and safety. Sheikha Shatha Al Mualla, Assistant Director General for Public Health and Central Laboratories emphasized that the municipality intensified its inspection visits to ensure compliance with all health precautions. It takes all necessary measures against violators. . #?????_?????_???????
A post shared by ????? ????? ??????? (@shjmunicipality) on
Nasser Saeed Muhammad Al Tunaiji, head of the public health department at Al Dhaid Municipality, said a comprehensive health plan has been developed to monitor food products during the holy month. "A special team of inspectors has been assigned to target those selling Iftar snacks. They also monitor illegal mobile food vendors who cook food at their accommodation using expired products and sell them to workers and poor families. Hefty penalties will be imposed on such violators. The municipality is keen on the health and safety of its residents by taking all measures to ensure food safety in the city."
Khalid Al Hosani, director of health and environment department at the Ajman Municipality, said mobile food vending is strictly prohibited and practising it is a violation of the health regulations set by the civic body.
"Inspection campaigns have been intensified targeting food mobile units, restaurants, cafes, and traditional food outlets that allowing sale of snack outside premises to ensure strict implementation of the set hygiene rules," he said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com


More news from