UAE | Health
Melamine plates a health hazard
Beware of eating on cheap melamine dinnng plates as they contain a substance harmful to health, the Dubai Municipality has warned.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 May 14, 2007
- A campaign has been launched to confiscate melamine tableware which contains urea formaldehyde and do not comply with the UAE standards and specifications.
- Image Credit: Gulf News
Dubai: Beware of eating in cheap melamine dining plates as they contain substance harmful to health, warns Dubai Municipality.
"We have issued official circular banning import and sale of some cheap melamine plate and cups containing urea formaldehyde, a substance which is hazardous to health," said Salah Amiri, Director of Municipality's Dubai Central Laboratory.
He said the civic body has also launched a campaign to confiscate melamine tableware, which contains urea formaldehyde and does not comply with the UAE standards and specification.
He said that urea formaldehyde, which is commonly used in making casing of electrical appliances and also insulation material, is an acidic foaming agent and is not suitable for public health. It can harm the human digestive system and create respiratory problems.
Inspections
The decision to ban the cheap melamine tableware has been taken after a survey and laboratory tests conducted by the Food and Environment Laboratory. The analysts found that the banned material used in the plate mixes with food and it can be harmful for health.
"During the tests, we found that some melamine tableware are made of the dangerous substance called urea formaldehyde which is identical to melamine formaldehyde, that is used to make 'real' melamine plates," he said.
Khalid Sharif, Assistant Director of Public Health Department and Head of Food Control Section said that it was very difficult to differentiate between the real melamine and fake melamine plates, as their physical appearance is same.
"That is why, our inspectors will conduct inspections of shops selling such plates to confiscate them. Also, we are informing importers to get certification from the municipality before marketing them to ensure that they are importing the right material," he said.
Sharif said that they would also inform restaurants to stop using the banned melamine plate.
He said the melamine dishes are selling fast in the local market because they are cheap, come in attractive colours and do not break on impact.
Plastic bags and plates may be banned too
Plastic bags and disposable plastic plates are next on the list of items likely to be banned as part of Dubai Municipality's campaign to regularise the use of food packaging material to ensure public health, said a senior official.
"We have already banned use of disposable plastic cups for hot beverages and are now working on regularising the use of disposable plastic plates and also polythene bags, which are hazardous for public health," said Khalid Sharif, assistant director for Public Health and head of Food Control Section at the Municipality.
He said that municipality is currently conducting tests and it would announce the classification of different polythene bags for different use. "Some bags which are non-degradable would also be completely banned while some will be used for packaging certain non-food items," he said.
Have your say
After reading this report, will you stop eating on cheap melamine dinning plates? Do you think the ban on potentially hazardous food materials will help ensure public health? What more needs to be done?
Your comments
Definitely, it is always recommended to go for first quality and good brand products. Even if it is costly, it will reduce your medical bills.
Aslam
Sharjah,UAE
How do I know if the plates I have are the harmful kind?
Shoaib
Dubai,UAE
Yes, definitely we should stop using this product as soon as possible. We should take precautions about our health.
Siti
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Great step that DM has taken. Hope DM will pick up other dangerous stuff commonly in use and ban them.
Public awareness programmes would help to improve the knowledge of general public.
Thamara
Dubai,UAE
I highly appreciate the Dubai Municipality for taking up this action. They really put in a lot of effort into making our living conditions healthier.
Simi
Dubai,UAE
All plastic ware that comes to the market titled 'melamine' are not really the same! The health authorities' efforts to ban such imitations are more than welcome...
Most of the restaurants out here are found using the so-called melamine plates. Apparently, these plates are worn and torn which enhances the chances of the urea formaldehyde getting dissolved in the food. Amidst putting restrictions on restaurants using such plates, using worn and torn glass/plates also should be banned. I think this is the right time for the Government to put efforts to bring down the price of original melamine ware.
Good to know plastic plates and polyethylene bags are to be banned soon. Most of the international cities have already restricted using plastic plates, polyethylene bags or the like. The earlier done the better.
Three cheers to the Dubai Municipality!!!
Anand
Dubai,UAE
Definitely I'll remove such plates from our kitchen. I praise the move of Dubai Municipality in their continuous efforts towards the safety and health of residents in Dubai. And I urge other emirates to follow the same steps immediately.
Rashed
Dubai,UAE
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