UAE ramps up inspection drives ahead of Ramadan

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The drives will target eateries, cafeterias, food outlets, manufacturers, and distributors. The food establishments will be under the civic bodies’ scrutiny before and during the month of Ramadan, officials said.

The initiatives aim to curb malpractices by traders and wholesalers who commit illegal practices in order to rake in profits during this time.

The inspection campaign seeks to ensure that all stringent norms are complied with and consumers’ health are safeguarded.

Thabet Al Turifi, Director-General of Sharjah City Municipality, said consumers’ health was a priority and no efforts would be spared to ensure a robust safety mechanism was put in place.

Precautionary measures have been further tightened owing to the Covid-19 outbreak. Checks are being regularly conducted to ensure food outlets are adhering to sanitisation drives amid the contagion.

"The municipality will take all necessary and deterrent measures against offenders. Workers have been ordered to compulsorily wear face masks and gloves while carrying out deliveries of food parcels," Al Turifi said.

Consumers have been urged to reach out to the call centre (933), which operates 24x7 for any inquiry or feedback.

In the neighbouring emirate of Ajman, a similar drive is in place to ensure food safety norms are not flouted before and during Ramadan.

Khalid Al Hosani, director, Health and Environment Department, Ajman Municipality, said consumers’ health would be safeguarded at all costs.

He said the campaign would further raise the standard of public health and the drive was in keeping with the UAE's Food Safety Law.

He urged all facilities to comply with the norms and also take Covid-19-related precautionary measures seriously.