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Shift from manual to digital scales, else no trade licence

Ministry of Economy says weighing devices must be stamped by Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology after inspection in Ajman.

Following an inspection of the Fruits and Vegetable Market in Ajman, Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy, has announced that trade licences of the shops will not be renewed until they shift from using old manual scales to digital weighing devices. The announcement comes a day after Dr Nuaimi’s visit to the market during which 21 retailers were caught flouting ministry rules and using old manual scales which did not function well. The errant retailers were fined between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000 for not displaying price labels, increasing prices of fruits, selling dirty vegetables and fruits not fit for consumption, and not displaying the name of their establishment properly on sign boards.

The shift will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy in coordination with the Ajman Municipality and Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma).

The digital weighing devices have to be stamped by Esma that guarantees conformity to national standards. The devices should be checked on a yearly basis to ensure their accuracy.

Al Nuaimi said this unannounced inspection of the Fruits and Vegetable Market in Ajman was part of the strategic plan of the Ministry of Economy to closely monitor the prices of fruits and vegetables, especially during Ramadan. “Since the beginning of this year, we have conducted a total of 380 inspections, and some 60 more during Ramadan of which 30 were unannounced with the aim of bringing down prices of the fruits and vegetables and to prevent any unwarranted price increase during Ramadan.”

He said that the ministry has asked the Ajman Municipality to extend the refrigeration timing for two more hours — from midnight to 2am — to ensure the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in the market.

He also said that the ministry has not received any complaints about meat prices, but the price varies between Dh20 and Dh32 depending on the kind of meat and the country of its origin. “We do not have complaints from customers of malls and hypermarkets about prices of meat, fruits and vegetables. But, we have lots of them coming from the small grocery stores, small restaurants, and small vegetable shops.”

He said that complaints have increased from 60 to 70 daily to between 100 and 110. “I encourage our consumers to call our hotline 600-522225 if they have any complaints on increased prices by retailers. I have extended the time of our call centres for four more hours — from 8am to 10pm to 8am to 2am — to accommodate complaints from the public.”

He said that this year’s inspection saw a reduction in prices of many fruits and vegetables as compared to inspections done in previous years.

“We have no shortage of meat, fruits and vegetables. All is available across the emirates. Even in Dubai alone, some 13,000 tonnes to 16,000 tonnes of vegetables are coming in daily,” he said. 
 lily@khaleejtimes.com