920 'hazardous' food outlets fined in UAQ

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A packet of expired shrimps seized from an outlet in Umm Al Quwain. -Supplied photos

Umm Al Quwain - The said entities were nabbed during 3,460 surprise inspections launched across the emirate over the period from January 1 to December 31, 2015.

Published: Tue 19 Jan 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 20 Jan 2016, 9:41 AM

The Public Health Section of the UAQ Municipality has fined 920 food outlets for flouting health and environment regulations last year.
The said entities were nabbed during 3,460 surprise inspections launched across the emirate over the period from January 1 to December 31, 2015.
Ghanim Ali Ghanim, Head of the Public Health Section, said most of the outlets were fined for offering expired food products unfit for human consumption and sale.
"Some institutions did not show compliance with the public and personal cleanliness regulations, failure to wear uniform, non-renewal of health cards, and preparing meals in improper conditions."
Ghanim said raids were conducted on two shifts in the morning and evening and "random samples were collected and sent to the Central Lab of the municipality for analysis."
Shopkeepers were urged to observe cleanliness, and instruct their employees to wear gloves and uniforms, he said.
"Cooked food should not be offered for sale the next day," Ghanim added. Ghanim said the Public Health Section received 60 complaints from the public on food and health issues.
"We have taken immediate action, sent inspection committees to the institutions complained about, and slapped fines against violators. The civic body deals with no tolerance with anything related to public health."
Daily samples are randomly collected from eateries in the emirate and sent to the central laboratory for analysis, he added.
Ghanim warned: "Erring shops will be shut temporarily or permanently, and hefty fines ranging between Dh20,000 to Dh30,000 will also be imposed on them."
"Now, the fines are multiplied up to ten times in case of hazardous violations related to public health."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com