"They were all my world, now they're gone. How can I go on?" These are the words of a father who lost both his children to food poisoning. A meal turned into a nightmare for the D'Souza family as the UAE was shaken by the tragic death of young Nathan and Chelsea. The one question that still puzzles - who is to blame? Should food quality be monitored even more stringently during summer? Are hospitals equipped to handle severe cases of food poisoning? Is there enough awareness regarding food hygiene and safe eating habits?
Eating out has become dangerous.
Last year, I faced a similar problem. My child, then four years old, was kept under observation through the night because of food poisoning. This has become a serious issue and we are now scared to eat out, even at really good restaurants. Earlier, they provided a certain guarantee on food quality. Nowadays, there isn't any such guarantee. Restaurant workers need to be educated about food hygiene standards.
Ciju Kurian
Abu Dhabi
I usually don't eat out because there is no real guarantee of food quality and hygiene. Many restaurants are unable to even maintain clean kitchens. Sometimes, you may find rats around the area & Apart from these obvious violations, there is also no guarantee that the restaurant did not use old oil for cooking food or serve you leftovers & Because of all these issues, I prefer to eat home-cooked food.
Nadia Abdullah
Fujairah
If a restaurant does not look reliable, why would you go and eat? I often eat out, especially over the weekends, but I only go to trusted restaurants. These are places where you can have a guarantee of food quality. Additionally, during summer season, I make it a point to eat light, to make sure I don't fall ill. I haven't suffered from food poisoning throughout my time in the UAE.
Shima Samaei
Dubai
The dangers of food poisoning come into play when people fail to practice basic precautions. We need to balance our lives, even when it comes to eating habits. I mostly eat at home, but whenever I do eat out, I only go to restaurants that are well-maintained. I also read books on healthy eating habits and follow certain safety precautions to stay healthy.
Waleed Ali Khalid
Sharjah
Poor hygiene standards in restaurants are due to lack of stringent quality control.
We can't blame restaurants alone & I think the hygiene standards at restaurants in the UAE are just about average. Additionally, in the case of the two children, I think the restaurant should not be blamed solely. I have been following the news and apparently the authorities tried to track if other customers also suffered from food poisoning, which did not happen. The hospital's actions need to be investigated.
Kulsoom Ali
Sharjah
Talking about the case of Nathan and Chelsea, I am concerned about the quality of healthcare more than hygiene. However, food quality has definitely been a concern for me for quite some time. A lack of strict quality control leads to a lax attitude among people. They often do what they are asked to do, not really what they should be doing.
Michael Wozney
Dubai
The main issue here is proper handling of food. Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of having people from different countries together is that their take on what is hygienic is very different. So, what may be hygienic for some is unhygienic for others. There needs to be a standardisation of practices and authorities need to regularly check every food outlet.
Niño B. Gonzales
Ras Al Khaimah
I think the quality of food here is just average. There is definitely space for improvement. Once, when I went for a desert safari, my entire family fell ill because of the dinner that was served. We were hospitalised for two days and the safari organisers paid for the treatment. They were fined, too. However, I would prefer if authorities control how the food is prepared to ensure such cases never occur.
Farshid Ahmadi
Dubai
Hospitals need to be better equipped to deal with food poisoning cases.
Hospitals are adequately equipped to handle cases of food poisoning. This is not a new or rare disease and doctors would know how to treat it. I read about the issue in the newspaper and there was a comment on how other customers at the restaurant did not suffer from food poisoning. A proper investigation is required into the case, as the innocent party should not be punished.
Tarun Agarwal
Sharjah
Hospitals definitely need to get equipped. I feel they do not give due priority to food poisoning. While cases of burns or accidents are given importance, food poisoning can also be extremely dangerous & Parents nowadays live a very busy life, and prefer eating out as it is convenient. However, in the bargain, they should not overlook the quality of food, which is served.
Gaston Dias
Dubai
The case of the two children dying was extremely shocking. I have lived in the UAE my entire life, and never had a bad experience while eating out. Additionally, from what I have seen at the hospitals in the UAE, I am quite satisfied that if I do fall ill, the treatment would be available. In the case of the two children, they should definitely have been kept under observation for some time.
Umarah Rizwan
Ajman
I don't think the problem is with the equipment at the hospitals. It is more to do with the people. The doctors and medical professionals who treat cases of food poisoning need to be checked. The hospital's role in the case of the two children should also be investigated. If they are found guilty, then action needs to be taken, not just against the people who were treating the family at that time, but also the management.
Ksenya Prekovic
Dubai
People are eating out much more than cooking at home.
Most people are part of a nuclear family. As part of an extended family, one can always fall back on others for such tasks. We, on the other hand, are dependent on housekeepers to take care of our needs, whether it is babysitting or cooking, as most parents are working, in pursuit of a better future. For those who cannot afford domestic help, restaurants take care of their eating needs.
Sandhya Shetty
Dubai
I, or people I know, prefer to eat at home. It is much safer, especially during summers. I don't trust the quality of food available outside. Sometimes, it is cooked in the morning and served much later in the day. During summer, there is a very high possibility of it getting spoilt. Health is wealth, so it is better to eat healthy food, instead of eating out and trying to exercise to stay healthy.
Fatima Hussain
Sharjah
Often, people may not have much choice, as their jobs are too hectic and demanding to leave them with time to cook at home. We may not be able to avoid eating out altogether, but we can definitely cut down on the amount of food we consume from restaurants. Quality control at food outlets should be made more stringent and hospitals have to be conscious of their duty towards all patients, even in minor cases.
Jerusha Sequeira
Dubai
People are eating out much more nowadays, mainly because it is very convenient. Also, with more women joining the workforce, they have very little time to cook at home. As a parent, I always choose food outlets carefully & Additionally, how the staff serve food and behave with customers reflects on the care they would take to prepare and store food.
Alya Ahmad
Dubai
