Keeping watch on supermarkets
The expiry dates displayed on fresh or perishable products are not always reliable — these can be replaced with a new date at any given point of time (“Inspectors shut down meat stalls,'' Gulf News, August 4). How does one know for sure that the cooked food sold at restaurants is made with fresh produce or is fresh? As consumers, we must check the products before buying. Additionally, it would be helpful if the authorities could assign a representative in all malls, thereby providing customers an opportunity to air their grievances. This is instant and the customers can report any product which they have doubts about. This would keep the supermarkets on their toes, too.
From Mr Hamza Moorkath
Abu Dhabi

Consumers must check
I don't know about the permissible time period before a product can be deemed inconsumable. However, it is possible for us, the consumers, to check the production date before buying a product. It would help if the authorities could make it mandatory for all meat stalls to display the production dates, too. I thank Gulf News for reporting the story.
From Mr M. I. M. Haneef
Abu Dhabi

Guaranteed freshness
I appreciate the authorities for their prompt and unbiased decision. As consumers, we trust the expiry dates displayed on products, simply because we don't have any other choice! The only option left now would be to raise your own cattle and grow your own vegetables – at least we would be guaranteed of the freshness.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi

Disturbing
I do trust the supermarkets. However, a violation of this nature by recognised supermarkets is very disturbing.
From Mr Mohammad Arif
Abu Dhabi

No choice
We are left with no choice but to buy produce from such retailer outlets. As a customer there is very little we can do to ensure that the meat is fresh. We trust the authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur.
We do not need another food poisoning related death.
From A Reader
Ajman
Name withheld by request

Change of plans
Recently, I bought some fish from a reputed supermarket in Karama, Dubai. However, I realised something was wrong when it started smelling, soon after I opened the packet at home. I immediately took the fish back and requested for it to be replaced. The butcher who had sold me the fish was well aware that the fish was spoilt – at least that is the impression he gave me. I switched to buying lamb instead.
From Mr Clive D.
Dubai

Helping out
I appreciate the measures taken by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). People should cooperate with ADFCA and intimate them if they find any supermarkets or restaurants violating the law. The violators should be severely punished - they are playing with people's lives!
From Mr Othman Riaz
Abu Dhabi

Leading the way
Kudos to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) for naming these supermarkets! I hope the authorities in other emirates follow suit.
From A Reader
Sharjah

Designated market for meat
Lots of supermarkets seem to be involved in similar practices. A short while ago, I was involved in a heated argument wherein a supermarket's management informed me that they had got prior approval. This was in Fujairah. The authorities must ban the sale of such meat in supermarkets. How about a designated market for fresh meat such as the fish markets?
From Ms Alison
Sharjah

Nowhere to go
This is shameful and I can't believe the practice was on part of Lulu and Carrefour – I am a regular buyer at these supermarkets! Where do I go now?
From Mr Sharif
Abu Dhabi

Justify, please
This is ridiculous. The aforementioned supermarkets must provide a valid justification for this.
From Mr Ehtesham
Dubai

Not fresh
I know some supermarkets that thaw frozen meat and sell it as fresh produce!
From Mr A. R. Othman
Dubai

Shared responsibility
At the end of the day it all boils down to commercialisation. I never expected Lulu and Carrefour – both reputed supermarkets – to engage in such practices. I am sure there are other supermarkets that sell expired products, too. Good job ADFCA and an even better job Gulf News for reporting this news. Ensuring food safety is everyone's responsibility. Where are the standards and why are they not adhered to? It's obvious that the retailers don't care about us. It's only the bottom line that matters.
From Mr Terry Lablache
Dubai

Reasons revealed
My wife and I would get a stomach ache and diarrhea together. Now I know why.
From Mr Thomas
Abu Dhabi

Fresh doubts
It's saddening to learn about this although we rarely buy fresh meat from the aforementioned supermarkets. I wonder how long they have been doing this for. I just hope the fresh meat advertised around town in rest of the supermarkets is really fresh.
From Ms Kat
Abu Dhabi

For the better
It seems as if profit at any cost is paramount. They probably thought no one would notice. But someone has. I hope they change for the better.
From Mr Mustafa Bengali
Abu Dhabi

Whom to trust?
This is absolutely wrong. We trust these supermarkets to sell good products. After this incident, how can we believe and trust anyone anymore? Lulu and Carrefour should have considered the health of their customers. We deserve better.
From Mr S. Masoud N.
Dubai

Ban abattoirs
This is a critical issue, especially since we are in danger of contracting harmful viruses from the spoilt meat. Supermarkets have no right to do this. The authorities must ban all abattoirs from operating for the time being.
From Ms Eleeze
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Conscious shoppers
This is quite shocking. I blindly trust these outlets. If such reputed supermarkets can do this, how can we trust smaller outlets? One should be conscious while shopping for goods, especially meat products. I hope the authorities are more vigilant in this aspect.
From Mr Mohammad Haider
Dubai

Fine not enough
I am speechless and shocked. How could Lulu and Carrefour resort to such practices? I frequently buy meat from at least one of these outlets. I know a lot of people who freeze meat for days before consuming it. It is really disturbing to know that the meat we eat was probably expired at the time of purchase. A heavy fine is obviously not enough to curb such practices.
From Mr Mohammad Rafiq
Dubai

What are my options?
When I buy from high end supermarkets, I obviously trust their good name and products without any doubts. However, such cases make me wonder - what options do I have? When I buy frozen food, I go by the date of expiry printed on it. In case of fresh food, I go by the colour and texture of the food and always smell and taste cooked food before giving it to my children. If I feel the food does not taste right, I avoid it. It is great news that the authorities have taken strict measures against defaulting supermarkets. Hopefully this measure will withhold all outlets from selling expired food products.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah

Common problems
Any one will trust the quality of products, especially if reputed brands are involved. A common man who probably has no idea how to differentiate between fresh and expired products has no choice. I request the concerned authorities to be stricter.
From Mr Mohammad Faridi
Al Ain