Food safety campaign targets outlets in Dubai

Dubai: Dubai Municipality yesterday announced the launch of a programme to enhance food security in all food establishments.

The programme titled Person in Charge (PIC) will start from January 2011 and all food establishments, including restaurants, cafes, public kitchens, cafeterias, supermarkets, bakeries, sweet shops and roasteries will be required to have a PIC trained and certified in food safety.

The PIC will actively manage food safety practices in the establishment and be accountable to their employer and the government for making sure that they and the employees are following established policies and procedures for food safety.

"The PIC can be the owner of the business or a designated person, such as shift leader, chef or kitchen manager who is always present and has direct authority and control over employees who work in the storage, preparation, display or service of foods," said Khalid Mohammad Sharif, director of Dubai Municipality's Food Control Department.

Important part

He said training will include basic food hygiene principles and practices.

"The most important part will be that of ‘self inspection' where the PICs will be taught to inspect their own establishment. The training will be offered in English first and by the first quarter of next year, training programmes will be delivered in Arabic, Malayalam and Urdu.

"A handbook will be published in five languages with all the necessary information for the PIC to operate a safe food business," Sharif said.

"After the training, PICs should be able to use the knowledge to observe practices and behaviours related to food safety as it applies to their businesses, give feedback and training to staff based on the results, and provide motivation for continuous improvement," he said, adding that they also have to help employees at all levels of the organisation to implement right practices and ensure that they are committed to food safety.

"Though we have not finalised the training fee, it will be between Dh250 for first-level training and Dh500 for second-level training. The certificate granted to PICs will be valid for five years," said Sharif.

The point is to move from food inspection to food monitoring and the number of PICs in each establishment will depend on its size and number of branches.

Do you think this will help reduce the number of food related incidents? What other measures would you like to see to ensure food safety?