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Warning issued to 4,693 food establishments

Ajman - The Ajman Municipality on Sunday launched an inspection campaign targeting food outlets as well as production and importing companies to reduce flouting of health and hygiene standards.

Hefty fines were imposed on 1,047 food establishments and warning issued to 5,174 units in 2017 for violating health and hygiene norms, a top official of the Ajman Municipality revealed. In 2016, inspectors issued fines to 857 food establishments and warning to 4,693 units. 
The detection of violations increased in 2017 since there was constant inspection carried out throughout the year, especially during Ramadan.
The Ajman Municipality on Sunday launched an inspection campaign targeting food outlets as well as production and importing companies to reduce flouting of health and hygiene standards.
The drive includes intensifying surprise and regular visits to all food establishments operating in the emirate to keep tabs on them. 
Khalid Al Hosani, director of Health and Environment Department at Ajman Municipality, said that the percentage of violations and warnings increased in 2017 as compared to the previous year because of tightening of control over food establishments to ensure food safety and consumer protection.
He added that the campaigns organized by the municipality during the last year were aimed at checking if food establishments were adhering to health safety requirements. 
"The implementation of the Ajman public health programme and the training of more than 2,798 workers in the food sector contributed to enhancing the quality of services provided to consumers," Al Hosani pointed out.
He added that the Ajman public health programme aims to raise the standard of public health in the food and health establishments operating in the emirate in accordance with the Federal Food Safety Law. 
Al Hosani said that the programme is training employees in food establishments in the emirate, followed by the implementation of food safety and health systems on these institutions, and then comprehensive auditing on these institutions to ascertain conformity.
Al Hosani added that last year witnessed issuance of accreditation to 18 institutions working in the field of food circulation. The number of trainees reached 2,798 workers according to the Ajman public health programme. In 2016, 10 food establishments were accredited and 1,235 workers trained. 
He urged the owners of food establishments to comply with all the health regulations and conditions laid down by the Ajman public health programme and abide by the required standards.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com