Ramadan 2020: Civic bodies warn against mobile food vending in UAE

Sharjah/Ajman - A comprehensive plan has been developed to monitor food products during the holy month.

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.
"Selling poor-quality food around street corners usually increases during Ramadan. This year, it has continued despite the restrictions of Covid-19 in place," said a Sharjah Municipality official.
"Vendors selling Ramadan specials keep their snacks outside the premises exposing them to heat and dust. Workers often rely on these vendors as it is cheaper than buying at restaurants," he added. "Most of them use expired ingredients to make snacks, which often leads to food poisoning."
Nasser Saeed Muhammad Al Tunaiji, head of the public health department at Al Dhaid Municipality, said a comprehensive plan has been developed to monitor food products during the holy month. "Inspectors have been assigned to monitor mobile food vendors who cook food at their accommodation using expired products and sell them to workers and poor families."
Khalid Al Hosani, director of health and environment department at the Ajman Municipality, said mobile food vending is prohibited and practising it is a violation of the health regulations set by the civic body.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ramadan 2021