Dubai, August 14: Authorities across the country have intensified inspections to ensure food safety and monitor prices during the holy month of Ramadan.
Mohamed Ali Al Marzouki, director of the Commercial Licence Department, Ajman Municipality and Planning Directorate, said fines amounting to Dh100,000 had already been imposed on violators.
The authorities added that surprise checks will be conducted at restaurants, cafeterias and all food outlets.
Consumers who feel they are being over-charged by traders can call the municipality’s round-the-clock hotline number 80026.
Mohammed Saif Al Afakham, director of Fujairah Municipality, said measures have been taken to ensure food hygiene and sufficient supply in anticipation of the high demand for food and meat.
“The inspection campaigns will continue intensively in order to ensure that foodstuffs conform to the specified health and safety standards,” Al Afakham said.
He added that the inspection campaigns will be implemented during the morning and afternoon shifts to cover all regions, in order to ensure that the stores comply with specified health requirements. The campaigns will continue at the same pace throughout the month of fasting and over the Eid days.
Assila Al Muala, head of the Public Health Department, Fujairah Municipality, said the department will intensify inspection of popular kitchens, bakeries and confectionery shops during Ramadan.
“The traditional kitchens, bakeries and pastry shops are competing to obtain a health certificate issued by the department in order to provide meals for the fasting month,” Al Muala said.
She said that the department had issued 53 health certificates to restaurants to provide meals during the month of fasting.
Al Muala called on citizens to make sure that shops have valid health cards issued by the Public Hea- lth Department.
Mohammed Jalal Al Reyaysa, spokesperson of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), said inspections will continue round the clock to monitor the markets to ensure the health and safety of the food.
He added that the campaign will include stores that sell sweets, juices and baked food with a requirement for sale in shops and not on the sidewalks, as was common in the past.
Al Reyaysa called on the consumers to tell the body of any violations via the toll free number 800555.
He said any store violating the regulations can be closed but before the closure there is a grace period to rectify the situation. If the fault is repeated there will be final warning which will end with the matter transferred to court where the penalty could be suspensionm or withdrawal of licence or fines up to Dh10,000.
Officials from the Ministry of Economy met with the representatives of traders and the key retailers in Ras Al Khaimah this week and agreed on discounts on food and other products, and also to keep prices stable during Ramadan. Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Economy, said that during the meeting that was held at the Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah, the traders agreed to offer a variety of goods to consumers at big discounts, especially food items.
Al Nuaimi said that the department will hold regular meetings with major retailers and key suppliers of food and fresh products, such as vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry and others which are mostly used by many people to end the fast.
Inspections of shops and markets will be conducted and Al Nuaimi warned of stiff penalties on errant traders.
“The ministry is keen on protecting the consumers and we shall do everything possible to ensure that all traders stick to the official prices so that they do not cheat people,” said Al Nuaimi.
–Agencies