UAE | Health
Keep food items refrigerated to ensure a healthy summer
Residents must ensure that food is stored in refrigerators during the summer, said a food control authority official.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:43 May 9, 2008
- Image Credit:
Abu Dhabi: Residents must ensure that food is stored in refrigerators during the summer, said a food control authority official.
"Not only at home, the public has to help the authorities to stop businesses which leave food and water boxes under the sun during transportation," the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) official told Gulf News.
"Leaving packed food items outside is a dangerous practice during the summer," said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Manager of Communication and Information Department at ADFCA.
Temperature variation
"The [variation of temperature] ... may cause food contamination. Apart from that, high temperatures may cause a chemical reaction between plastic wrappers or bottles and food items."
Some outlets leave food packets and water cans under the sun after off-loading them from vehicles. This is illegal and people have to report it to the authorities.
"You have to find the required temperature of each food item from the food label, which mentions storage instructions."
ADFCA has distributed a temperature map, which specifies the required temperature for unpacked food items such as meat and fish during transportation and storage. The vehicles should have proper approval from ADFCA. "Our inspectors in the field regularly check whether such rules and regulations are adhered to," said the official.
Here are some more tips to spot fresh food while shopping:
Vegetable and fruits: Fresh items are shiny. Avoid withered and yellowish ones. Avoid potatoes with green colour and buds. Onions must be free from black fungi.
Canned food: After opening there must not be any change in the smell, taste, structure or colour of the can or food.
For information or to register any complaints on food safety, residents have to call a toll free number. It is part of the government strategy to have a single toll free number for all government departments and authorities, said Al Reyaysa.
Drop a line
The toll free number of ADFCA has been integrated with Abu Dhabi government's new toll free number 800555. For any information or to register any complaints on food safety, residents must call the number.
E-mail: enquiries@adfca.ae, Web: www.adfca.ae.
Do you know anyone who suffered from food poisoning as a result of badly stored food? What steps do you take to ensure that your food is properly packed during the summer?
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