Dubai: Sadia’s frozen chicken packets withdrawn from Union Coop have been found to be fit for consumption and the products are back on shelves, Gulf News has learnt.
Within hours after Union Cooperative Society announced that it had withdrawn Sadia frozen chicken from all its stores after it received information that products in one store were unfit for human consumption, Dubai Municipality has clarified that there was nothing wrong with the products.
"There is no problem with Sadia chicken. Everything is okay," Sultan Ali Al Taher, head of Food Inspection Section at Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department told Gulf News.
He did not elaborate on what went wrong resulting in the recall that has spread panic among loyal customers of Sadia.
In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, Dubai Municipality clarified that the recall was only an internal procedure of Union Coop and it had nothing to do with health requirements set out by the civic body.
Iman Al Bastaki, director of Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality pointed out that there was no official decision to withdraw the product, and the regulatory bodies have no relation to the subject. She also confirmed that the products are subject to periodic monitoring by Dubai Municipality and other regulatory bodies and actions are taken if necessary.
Additionally, a Sadia spokesperson said there was no cause for the retailer to recall its product and clarified that the products are back on sale at Union Coop stores.
"Sadia is pleased to confirm its products are back on sale at Union Cooperative stores. An initial investigation with the retailer and Dubai’s food safety department revealed Sadia’s products continue to meet the highest quality standards and that there was no cause for the retailer to withdraw products voluntarily from its stores,” the company said in a media statement issued on Sunday afternoon.
"Sadia remains committed to the quality of its products delivered through a correctly-maintained cold chain integrity as well as working with the relevant food safety authorities to protect and reassure consumers in line with the UAE’s strict food control standards."
The company thanked its customers and said it was happy to answer any queries via its call centre 800 72342 and online customercare@brf-me.com
Al Bastaki noted that the Municipality does not spare any effort in maintaining public health and protect the public from any risks. "For this, we have devoted a large force of observers and inspectors in all areas concerning the protection of public health and food," she said.
Al Bastaki confirmed that there are clear directives from the Director General of the Municipality on this area so as not to show any complacency at all in protecting people, and to emphasize on the application of all local orders and health regulations as well as the Gulf and international rules to protect public health.
Gulf News could not immediately get comments from Union Coop, which had also announced a refund for all those who had bought Sadia frozen chicken in the past three or four days.
