Put weekly spotchecks on restaurants' menus

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah: Food outlets have been put under the spotlight recently, after a Ras Al Khaimah-based baker was found to have been spitting on the loaves before baking them.

The baker was arrested by police and the bakery was shut down.

Residents across the emirates said authorities should conduct surprise inspections at all food outlets frequently in order to maintain high standards of hygiene,

In a recent Gulf News poll, 91 per cent of respondents said they are concerned about hygiene standards at food outlets, while only nine per cent said they were not.

City Talk took to the streets to find out if residents think food from restaurants and cafeterias is hygienic; whether they have ever got sick from eating at food outlets; and what authorities can do to regulate hygiene standards at outlets.

Ajoy Varghese, Indian engineer, 36, said: "I am concerned about the quality of food sold at restaurants because my family eats out once every week ... Having heard the case of the baker who spat into the dough, I would urge authorities to look into hygiene issues more carefully ... I think there should be regular inspections, at least once a month. And most importantly these should be surprise inspections."

Shahzad Seddiqi, Pakistani engineer, 26, said: "The standard of hygiene depends on the restaurants. But I would not change my eating habits since I have no other choice as my family is back home ... Since our office is within a shopping mall, I mostly rely on its food court which I believe is fairly cleaner than other places. I have fallen sick on one occasion, though."

Abdul Hamid Al Sayyah, Emirati lawyer, 36, said: "I do not worry about it because the places I go to are always clean. I usually eat at public kitchens twice a week, and I have never had any complaints. But it is important for municipality inspectors to keep the level of hygiene at a high standard, and this can only be done by conducting surprise visits, especially in the kitchens, on a regular basis."

Diana Bulauan, Filipina administration manager, 24, said: "I eat out five times a week, but I always go to restaurants that serve food from the Philippines, because I know how it should be prepared. I know all the waiters and feel very comfortable there, and I have never had any problems of falling ill. It would be a good idea if the authorities did inspections at least once a week."

Hassan Al Magribi, Egyptian accountant, 38, said: "I heard of a number of disgusting stories about food hygiene, especially in bakeries, and it does make you slightly paranoid. I just usually tend to change my place of shopping if I lose confidence in the establishment, but with so few options here in Fujairah, it is not that easy ... there really needs to be stronger inspections by the authorities, and a greater sense of self responsibility of food outlet owners.

Basil Al Asa'ad, Syrian sales assistant, 23, said: "As a bachelor I always eat out, but it is out of necessity. Because of the low wages and the time constraints, I have to find moderately priced meals and that often means having to eat at places with varying standards. The responsibility of food hygiene falls first and foremost on the owners ... Failing that, the authorities should do their job of keeping an eye on violators, and punish them severely."

Naeem Yamin, Pakistani recruitment officer, 34, said: "I eat out at least twice a week, and on one occasion my children got sick which I suspected was a result from the food they ate. Investigations should be done on a regular basis at all food outlets... so that the authorities can have an updated report regarding hygienic conditions.

Sajan George, Indian sales manager, 38, said: " I believe if a person goes to a restaurant, he will expect a certain quality of food, and it is the duty of authorities to ensure that minimum standards of hygiene and cleanliness are followed."

Do you think restaurants in the UAE live up to its hygienic expectations? What are your criteria for good hygiene in restaurants?

I think food handling needs to be improved in UAE. There should be authority/body to regulate/control this. My family fell sick a few times already, after eating sashimi prepared by non-Japanese cook in a fusion restaurant in Dubai, they don't seem to be as well trained as Japanese cooks. They were seen talking too each other when they were preparing the sashimi, as well as using the glove to protect their hands rather than to protect the food they are preparing, as they handle everything else with the glove.
Chan Kar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 24, 2009, 12:41

It is unfortunate that this is now happening more often as I now frequently suffer from an upset stomach, vomiting etc... after eating from food outlets here (good places as well). It is too bad that people don't take responsibility for their work and forget the impact they have on society. I hope that Municipality sets up a number that people can call to complain about restarants.
Umm Alya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 24, 2009, 12:16

Recently, I was eating a pizza from a restaurant in my home with my wife and children when I bit down into something hard. Before I could remove it from my mouth it had also revealed itself to be sharp by stabbing my gums once. Once removed, I saw that it was a piece of a chicken bone about the size of a sunflower seed and quite sharp. I shuddered to think what could have happened if one of my children had ingested this bone fragment. I called the company and they sent me another of the same pizza! I demanded a written apology from the company but they said it was not their policy to do this. With this and the other stories I am hearing like the case of the woman who had glass in her pizza, I am becoming afraid to eat out and wonder who will protect me and my family from such negligence.
Don Glass
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 24, 2009, 09:29