Imported fruits, vegetables seized from RAK market

The traders were caught selling imported products such as lemon, pepper, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, dates, melons and others in the RAK Fruits and Vegetable Market which is located near the Ras Al Khaimah Bridge despite the fact that the market is designated only for local produce.

“No imported product is allowed to be sold in this market. All fruits and vegetable products imported to the UAE can be sold from other markets in the emirate and it is illegal for traders to sell these products from this market,” said Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, Chairman of the RAK Municipality.

The RAK Municipality had allocated the RAK Fruits and Vegetable Market to local farmers and traders dealing in local products in order to promote the agricultural sector in RAK and the country at large.

Fawaz Abdullah, who heads the Food Control Section at the municipality’s environmental and public health department, said that the traders were caught during regular inspection campaigns carried out on the market on Saturday afternoon.

He noted that errant traders have been issued warnings and their licences would be revoked if they are caught repeating the violations.

The officer has also urged traders dealing in fresh products such as fruits and vegetables to ensure that the products are kept safely in refrigerations especially during the present conditions in order to
prevent them from getting spoilt by the heat.

Traders have also been urged not to leave products in open spaces or under the direct rays of the sun.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com