UAE officials to conduct surprise food inspections during Ramadan

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) plans to conduct pre-inspection plans throughout the year to ensure the safety of goods in Abu Dhabi outlets and to ensure that enterprises comply with public health and safety requirements.
It also announced an integrated plan to carry monitoring and awareness campaigns during Ramadan.
Thamer Rashid Al Qasimi, official spokesperson of the Authority, said that they are keen to enhance food safety for consumers during Ramadan, focusing on promotional offers, Ramadan tents, hotels and restaurants iftar menus, and other establishments.
"In order to ensure consumers' safety, the inspections will be divided into three shifts, starting from 11 am to 2 am, to follow up on the implementation of food facilities in the emirate," he added.
He revealed that the Authority carries out intensive and direct inspection campaigns ranging from three to four campaigns before and during Ramadan to food establishments in Abu Dhabi to ensure that they meet the required health requirements and are well equipped for the holy month.
He explained that the inspection campaigns carried out by the authority during Ramadan will focus on the food facilities that prepare daily fresh meals, such as restaurants, bakeries, food trucks and Ramadan tents.
Al Qasimi pointed out that one of the most important works carried out by the inspectors during the campaigns is to control any misconduct practiced by workers at the facilities and spread awareness about health and hygiene requirements for food traders.
He stressed that the authority attaches great importance to meat vendors because of the increasing demand during the holy month. They are inspected based on a risk degree to ensure their conformity and compliance with the laws and health requirements and take administrative and legal action against the violator.
Inspectors will check the meat stored in the fridges to determine if they comply with health regulations and laws. In addition, they will inspect the meat trucks to see if they apply proper transportation requirements. The Authority will also carry out surprise inspections to food establishments, he added.
Inspection visits will be intensified on food stores, warehouses, retail complexes, and retail facilities to ensure that they apply food safety and health standards. The inspection campaigns are not only limited to monitoring violations but also to promote the principle of food safety in the emirate.