Sharjah cracks down on shops after family reports worms in yoghurt

The Sharjah Municipality launched a massive crackdown on groceries and supermarkets in residential areas to check their storage and cooling systems after an Asian family reported worms in their kids' yogurt.
Acting on the complaint, the civic body team swung into action and inspected the particular shop in Al Tawoon and found that the yogurt had gone bad due to improper storage and lack of cooling system. An official at Sharjah Municipality said that the inspectors confiscated all the products. They carried out intensive inspections in a number of other shops in various neighbourhoods.
The complainant said that his eight-year son spotted the worms before consuming it and informed his mother. "We contacted the manufactures, who apologised to us and provided us with a fresh pack of yogurt. They said the product got spoilt due to improper storage and faulty cooling in the supermarket. Then we referred the matter to the municipality, which immediately took action against the violator."
A top official at health department of Sharjah Municipality pointed out that the civic body teams undertake periodic inspections of all food preparation and display facilities to make sure that they meet the health requirements and products are displayed according to the prescribed standards.
The municipality teams also take samples of food products to be tested in the food central laboratory to check their validity and ensure they are fit for human consumption.
She added that in the event of any complaint related to a foodstuff, the inspectors go to the site immediately to verify the complaint, and if it is found to be valid, necessary measures are taken.
The official pointed out that stringent steps and procedures are adopted by inspectors to protect the consumers. Such action could include confiscation of the product from the store, taking samples for testing and analysis to determine the nature and gravity of violation which decides the penalty and fine, she said.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com