Dubai/Abu Dhabi: With more and more cases of food poisoning being reported, residents have spoken as one about the hygiene standards, or the lack thereof, at restaurants.
The death of two young siblings last week in Dubai because of suspected food poisoning has been a tragic reminder of the risk of food contamination. Last month, the death of a four-year-old girl in Sharjah was also attributed to suspected food poisoning.
In a recent Gulf News poll, 20 per cent of respondents said they have suffered from food poisoning at some point this summer, 64 per cent said they have not had the miserable experience and 16 per cent said they avoided eating out as far as possible.
City Talk took to the streets and asked residents what they felt about the hygiene at restaurants, awareness levels among the public about necessary safeguards and if tougher penalties should be imposed on eateries that flout health regulations.
Achyut Parajuli, 31, a managerial-level employee from Nepal, said: "I am generally concerned about the hygiene at restaurants, whether they are on the side of the road or in shopping centres. Many of them do not practice basic hygiene in their kitchens. Also, I think that people lack awareness about how to store their food, and they should take extra precautions when it comes to take-away meals and how long they can store it."
Len De Los Santos, 34, a Filipina saleswoman, said: "I do not usually eat out because I feel I have to be thrifty during the economic crisis. I cook at home because it is better and safer than eating in restaurants. I feel the municipality should tighten the rules for food outlets, and people should be made aware that they should eat their food soon after preparing it rather than storing it for several days."
Dorothy Serphis, 39, a channel credit supervisor from India, said: "I definitely think twice now before eating in restaurants. I always get meals delivered at home but I make it a point to order food that is freshly prepared. There should be greater awareness among the public and in restaurants because not everybody knows what procedures should be followed to prevent incidents of food poisoning. The authorities should conduct more spot-checks in food outlets."
Waleed Khalid, 17, a university student from Pakistan, said: "I am worried about the hygiene in restaurants because when I was in a fast-food outlet the other day, I saw the employees cooking without washing their hands and not wearing any gloves. Each restaurant and every person is different and I think it depends on how concerned they feel about the standard of hygiene in their kitchens. If restaurants flout the rules, they should be given a warning, but if they repeat the mistake then a temporary suspension of licence may be considered before being given a tougher penalty."
Shyam S. Kumar, 27, a sales executive from India, said: "I eat all my meals at restaurants and am naturally concerned about the hygiene at these places. Recent reports in the media have got me worried, so I try and stick to my regular restaurants. Although I have never come down with food poisoning until now, I feel authorities must enforce tougher penalties for the sake of safeguarding the public health."
Sandy Robertson, 42, a teacher from Britain, said: "I cook at home as much as possible as I feel it is much safer and healthier. We do eat out once or twice in a week, though. Most of the eateries appear clean on the outside but whether or not their kitchens follow basic cleanliness rules is for the authorities to make sure. Regular unannounced inspections and hefty penalties could make a difference".
Abdul Aziem, 49, a store keeper from Sudan, said: "My family eats out about five times a week. I think it is somewhat safe to eat from outside. I have never suffered food poisoning personally; so I am not too concerned about it. We get good quality food here."
Pushpa Bhatia, 54, from India, said: "I think there is much room for improvement in hygienic practices at restaurants. After the news about the death of the two children, I do feel a bit scared about eating out... It is time the authorities stepped up inspections."
Are you concerned due to the recent reports on food poisoning? Have you started cooking at home more regularly? How do you stay safe during the summer?
It is very sad situation in most of the cafterias as the cleaner is also serving food with dirty hands. I feel vomiting when I pass in front of cafeteria.
Shihabudheen Chungath
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 16:26
why not name and shame the restaurant involved? when they lose lots of customers then they have a powerful incentive to clean up in the kitchen. The penalties and the spot checks should be much tougher also.
Mark Fitzgibbon
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 16:16
Well, food poisoning nowadays is quite alarming not to mention two children died last week. I usually eat in fastfood for we have no time to cook at home due to long hours of duty. I can say that it is alarming because most of the fastfood that I usually eat do not have any hygiene. You can see vegetables, fruits and other cooking stuff is left on the floor without proper handling. Of course blame should not always be on the authority nor the restaurant but what I can say is that there is no clear standard for cleanliness and how food should be handled in most small and medium scale restaurants and fastfoods. I hope that authority should focus more on how to deal with these. Can you imagine people who prepare your food do not even know how to wash their hands, not using gloves and hair nets and not to mention the weather condition. All I can say is that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Maria
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 15:56
One time me and my friend passed by to a small cafeteria somewhere in Sharjah. I was very surprised seeing the man preparing food with his bare hands after collecting some money from the first costumer he had served without even washing hands. It almost lost my appetite that day.... I worked in the Philippines as service crew for two years but before we start our respective duty as food handler we had to undergo trainings, orientations and exams for proper food handling, food safety, procedures for storing food and sanitation practices, which is very important.
Jolen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 14:40
Authority also should keep strict watch over the small cafeteria and "Budget" restaurants where mostly bachelors from Asian countries are served, I have seen the horrible hygiene violations in such places, the drinking glass tumblers are just rinse with water after someone used it and served again to the next customer, the plates, glasses and cutlery are stinking most of the time, the floors and waiters uniforms are filthy, sighting insects while eating inside is not an uncommon thing.
Mahesh Devji
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 14:40
Check out some pizza outlets in Dubai and you will notice the people making it don't even have clean hands, and in fact have sweat falling all over the pizza. They don't even wipe their faces with a cloth, it's with a hand. The hygiene is appaling!
Sana
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 14:31
Lack of hygeine in the restaurants or cafeterias are some of the causes of food poisoning. How many times I have seen staff, that after cleaning the floor holding a dirty map, then preparing the food for the customers. Yakks! Try to observe, many of the establishments are having one cashier also doing food handling without washing their hands!
Anikrys
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 14:10
Food posioning is something that everypeople should be careful of, i still remember when i was around 10 or 11 yrs old that i have severe pain in my stomach and had to be hosipitilased for food poisoning. so be aware of the things you eat outside, its usually at those places where its small, trash bins all around the tables and where the waiters are wearing dirty clothes and look sweaty and smelly.
Swarup
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 13:31
deaths due to food poisoning are very rare cases in the world ,for this hospital and doctors are responsible for not treating patients well
yb
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 13:01
Although i go for weekly shopping for the preparation for the whole week so i can cook for our dinner and make sandwiches for work but from time to time still nice to order food out for sometimes.Situation happen i need to have self discipline not to have food from out. Accident happens once.
Emmalyn Valencia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 12:30
My heart goes to the parents of the two deceased siblings! a generation is lost and greatloss to our nation!! All restaurants should have a airconditioning system in the Kitchen. this should system should be made compulsory for all restaurants (either small or big). This will motivate the kitchen Cooks and helpers to work with improved hygiene and thereby provide the customer with hygienic food.
Anita Dsouza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 12:23
In all my years here I have only seen reports of Food Poisoning cases in the newspapers. I have never read what happened in the end whether it was the restaurant to be blamed or some other reasons. Consequently people make it a point to avoid that restaurant or the ones nearby the same locality unless there is a clarification. People have to gamble and risk their lives while eating at restaurants however popular they may be.
Vipin Y
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 12:22
I am not much of an outside eater but at times for a break I do depend on takeaways. But I always ensure that I get food from known chain restaurants. People should not look at the cost factor when it comes to food. There is no harm is spending a little more to have quality and hygiene food. It is also advisable to be a vegetarian as far as possible during the summer.
Riya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 12:19
I'll get a bit diverted from the main topic; of course the hygiene standards need to be checked on a regular basis by the authorities; but what about the medical standards? the doctors sent the poor kids back without proper treatment? and to think; it was just a case of food poisoning! they are not equipped to deal with a case of food poisoning? what right do they have to make claims of world class medical facilities? They aer not even apologetic about the whole thing. Pathetic!!
Faraz
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 12:01
Kindly update us about the death of kids of Mr. D'Souza
Mariam Jamal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:49
Yes I am concerned about the recent news on food poisoning. What's making the matter worse is the global financial crisis whereby restaurants are trying to cut cost and that will surely affect the quality of food and especially the standards to maintain acceptable hygiene levels. The problem is that we hear of the poinoning cases but we never hear of the steps taken by the authorities to punish the restaurant owner or to combat this ongoing concern.
Hanan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:48
Food joints in the Malls are quite safe, I feel they are aware about the word hygiene.Small cafeterias selling food stuffs are pathetic.They wipe a table and the next thing they do is to serve rotis.I have seen this happening. So residents should take care about their choice as to where to eat.The authorities should definitely have a monthly surprise check to make sure things r ok inside the kitchen.
Roopa Aswin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:41
I think food and climate are a close relatives, so people should be aware of consuming proper food related to proper weather conditions. What i see here is people eat the same type of junk items throughout the year irrespective of body tempreture, just for taste. I have a personnel comment on this becuase my family has experienced enough, and now we are reluctant to food poisoning because we change our food habits as per environmental tempreture. As far I am concerned with hygiene in restaurants, they are not bothered of it, as long as they serve the customers early on time than proper hygiene.
Khalida
sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:23
I have always been concerned with the quality and standards of food served at the restaurants. And after the sad instance of the death of 2 children last week, I have become even more cautious about eating out, only because 'it is always better to be safe than sorry!!!'.
Mamatha Veeramalla
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:20
The small restaurants around dubai are hardly aware of health hygiene specialy small indian and pakistani resturant and the mucipality should be more strict and make a round of these restaurant at least 2 a week for them to be sure that the rules of health department is follwed.
Rishiraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 11:20
Im in UAE for past 13 years. I feel apart from we all saying hygine has to be followed in restaurants and outlets, each city muncipality should adhere to strict rule and routine checks. If this is followed, I bet everybody could eat good food from outside also. Please request authorities to take adequate measures to solve this at the earliest.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 09:44
Beware!!! For eating in such restaurants, where there are not much heavy rush of customers for eating food. And thus they must be constrained to keep raw food in cold storage. May be possible, God forbid, the storage raw food being purchased either of a week or a month. And those restuarants which have heavy turnover of customers for eating food, they no need to keep raw food in cold storage, because due to heavy rush they must to be used raw food for daily cooking and thus they must to be purchased fresh raw food on daily basis for next day cooking to serve thier beloved customers. And the Best
Anwar Samnani
Karachi,Paskitan
Posted: June 21, 2009, 09:23
My observation has been that traditional hotspots where arabic and other cusines are served should have regular inspections. Because the place where I stayed beside it there is a restaurant, if u have a look in the kitchen, you might never go there again.But not all are like that.
Sanjeev
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:59
The authorities must also check the quality of food served at the hotel staff and labourers which is usually outsourced to catering companies. Though food is outsourced for them, health of the staff is the responsibility of the company management. There should be specific guidelines for the catering companies also to follow.
Marianne Menezes
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:59
There should be a website where people can express (along with pictures if possible) at various restaurants. I am definately aware of a couple of places where the food quality and hygiene standards are way below par.
Sheraz Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:42
Well , i now refrain from the restaurants for the sake of lil Nathan and Chelsea who had to give their lives for the mistake of someone -may it be the restaurant or the hospital whihc treated them. But for the parents - no words to console. most of the eateries over here do not practice hygiene and clean habits- take it to the cafeterias in dubai - just take a look at the fingers of the cook who is rolling up the omlette into a paratha to make your breakfast- trust me- u will stop and the authorities need to take it seriously .
Chacko Jacob
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:41
It scares me now to order from outside, I even started marinating my own burgers at home with my own fresh meat that other day and I sauteed mushrooms to top it instead of buying the usual mushroom'n'swiss burger!
Hiba K.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:32
I am a working mother here in Dubai for five years as an Administration Manager. I live alone so I seldom cook at home. I always bought food from a vendor of Filipino dishes who comes to the office everyday. When food poison hit me last week, I became so conscoius with what I am taking. and I never buy from them again. I started cooking at home even late at night. It is really an awful feeling if you were a victim of food poisoning. It is a mixed up feelings of nausea and diarrhea, and you will feel so weak. Thankfully, i am fine, nothing bad happened to me. But since I dont want to create any trouble with whoever, I kept silent. I am just concerned about some people who are still buying from them. Do they have a license to sell on the premises? I guess, the authorities should watch out on these people selling food in some office premises. Are they following hygiene standards?-
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:16
At the end of the day it all boils down to the quality of service being employed at restaurants. Employ well qualified personnel at the restaurants, pay them well and at the end we will get better service from employees who love their jobs and feel a need to be mindful of what is being cosumed by the customers.
Lilian
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:16
I am concerned about the quality and freshness of food in some eateries here. I have been affected by food poisoning last year after having ordered and eaten a pizza from one of the pizzerias in International City. That was an awful experience. I did not report that restaurant but should have done so as I think now. I believe that most staff working at restaurants (at small restaurants in particular) here is not properly trained in this industry. Most of them probably do not have any experience or knowledge at all. In my country for instance, people do study for three years before becoming a chef or even a waiter. Also, the majority of restaurant staff here is coming from countries in which people have a different understanding about what hygiene is. I truly wish that the respective authorities will look into this issue and start inspecting restaurants more often and unannounced (also in International City please) and be strict and close down those outlets that do not comply with the regulations. It might sound strict but it is the health and life of all residents and citizens (including children who are more vulnerable) we are talking about here!
Nicole
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 08:11
Hi, I am an Indian working as an Account Manager for a Software Company in Dubai. Though not very frequently, my wife and myself are take away eaters. Unfortunate incidents that happened the past week should be an eye opener. Sacrifice of those two little souls should not be in vain. The counter actions and stringent raids should be conducted. We honestly feel it should be sustained and strictly, all storage, kitchen and dining facilities should be chased for errors. Some actions beyond fines would keep the fire burning. Hospitals neglecting such cases should not be spared as well.
Jomy John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 07:12
Many years ago when I was in Abu Dhabi (about 10 or 12) having my breakfast at about 8.30am, I noticed a RAT nibbling away at food placed on the order table;all that the waiter did was shoo the RAT away with his hands. This very food (masala dosa) was served to the customer without his knowledge.(I'm sure). I just walked away from the restaurant and never stepped in again. I visited Abu Dhabi last year and this restaurant still existed.
S Pinto
Auckland,New Zealand
Posted: June 21, 2009, 05:22
May this incident remind the food shop and restaurant owners of proper food handling; and their personnel's hygiene and grooming should also be checked. I have observed many times already - particularly the small community restaurants and cafeterias that they don't practice proper cleanliness, tidiness and grooming. I have seen sweating man serving food to people; there are some who touch anything and suddenly touch the food with bare hands... there are community bakeries wherein their personnel sit on the "serving table", scratching their foot on it. These small details should be checked, and not wait for a food poison incident to happen again before doing an action. I have experienced one case, it's a well known fast food and a favorite, I ordered noodles for take-away and when I opened the pack at home, the noodles was sticky and is already spoiled. Wasn't able to return the item because of transport factor.
Lionel Gonzaga
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 05:20
I definitely am concerned about eating or ordering food from restaurants, now that there have been death due to food poisoning. I'am not denying that I enjoy eating outside. Everyone must now take this issue seriously but not act like they will definitely be getting food poisoning if they eat outside, so a meal once a week (from outside) shouldn't be that bad!
Mustafa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 01:17
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