Food inspectors to get computers

Municipal inspectors in Sharjah will soon be provided with portable computers to enable them to instantly alert the entire civic body network regarding any food contamination.

"It will also help them gain instant access to any alert put out anywhere in the country," Mohammed Omar Al Bannai, Head of Sharjah Municipality's Public Health Department, said at a recent workshop, staged to develop cooperation among municipalities in the country.

The decision to hold the workshop followed a General Secretariat of UAE Municipalities recommendation to enhance coordination, and to ensure the highest levels of public health services.

Al Bannai emphasised the need for unified rules governing the entry - or prevention - of food into the country.

"In cases of contamination being detected, there should be a unified stance regarding the ban on such foodstuff consignments into the country, and this should be strictly implemented," he stressed.

He outlined the procedures adopted for licensing food establishments, the issue of validity certificates for exporting food, and allied issues such as destroying certificates, distributing permissions, and inspections of imported food at ports and other entry points.

He added the department - which controls and supervises the practices at establishments that do not directly deal in food items, but have related products such as herbs, or at saloons and laundries - has decided to establish a special section for these items, entitled the Clinic Section.