The instructions issued by the Food Control Department have been directed to all restaurants, cafeterias, sweet shops, bakeries and catering companies in Dubai.

Director of the Food Control Department Khalid Mohammed Sharief Al Awadhi said all food outlets that intend to display and or sell food outside their premises should take prior approval from the department. These permits can be obtained from the Dubai Municipality Centre at Al Twar for a fee of Dh210.

“As we are preparing to observe the holy month from next week, we would like to boost up the mechanism already in place to ensure safety of the food items sold and served in the city,” Al Awadhi said.

It’s a tradition to display and sell food items, especially snacks and sweets, outside the outlets during Ramadan. “Without prior and due approval from the Food Control Department, no food establishment would be allowed to display or sell snacks outside their premises. As people are very fond of snack items in their Iftar, there are chances (of them) forgetting from where the stuffs are bought and up to what levels of safety and hygiene they are kept,” the official said.

Urging the public to be highly alert when purchasing food items from the displayed areas, Al Awadhi advised them not to buy food from people or businesses that are not authorised to sell them. He also urged the consumers not to store the food long after purchasing. It should be consumed as soon as possible.

Health requirements for food sale •

• The Food Control Department of the Dubai Municipality has published the health requirements specifically meant for the display and sale of food items outside the outlets during Ramadan. Published in Arabic, English, Urdu and Malayalam to ensure that message reaches several sections of the people, the main instructions include the following:
• Food establishments must adhere to the food safety requirements that are relevant to display and sale of foods
• All foods should be displayed in closed food cabinets that are suitable for food display and storage. Display cabinets must be located in a suitable place adequately protected from external contaminants
• Food establishments must refrain from preparing, cooking and reheating foods outside the food establishment
• Food items can be displayed and sold from two hours before Iftar time. No food should be displayed or sold outside the premises after Iftar time
• It is preferred that final cooking shall be done maximum two hours before the selling time
• Cold foods should be kept in cold display units and hot foods should be in hot display units. However, if temperature control is not used, the food should be consumed within two hours of preparation
• Food establishments should maintain temperature and time records for foods that are displayed. news@khaleejtimes.com