Report fishy business in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: While shopping at some fish stalls, you may find instances of fish being displayed without clear name cards or workers behind the counter not wearing gloves and head covers.

These are the kinds of violations food control officials in Abu Dhabi are cracking down on. Authorities are stepping up inspections of fish-sellers to ensure that fresh products are sold in the capital and rules are adhered to.

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has urged customers to report violations using the toll-free number 800555, a senior official told Gulf News on Thursday.

Storing fish without ice, displaying de-frozen fish as fresh, and keeping fish in unsuitable plastic boxes are common violations, Saeed Jasem, Acting Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said.

The authority’s Specialised Inspection Department issued five citations of violations and three warnings during an inspection campaign last week. These targeted 11 fish stalls in Baniyas and two in Mussaffah.

“People should not take such malpractices lightly; your feedback helps us take action against errant players in the market,” Jasem said.

The inspectors destroyed 95 kilograms of fish found unfit for human consumption at stalls in Baniyas and 24 kilograms in Mussaffah.

As Gulf News reported on March 1, inspectors confiscated and destroyed 36 kilograms of spoilt fish from the shelves of a prominent hypermarket in the capital.

The expansive inspection campaign last week targeted outlets selling meat and poultry in Musaffah.

The inspectors issued one citation of violation in a meat shop and three warnings. A total of 13 kilograms of meat was ordered to be destroyed.

Jasem said the inspections were carried out without any prior notice to the outlets.

“Overall, we have noticed that the number of violations and warnings has dwindled substantially, thanks to the concerted efforts of the inspectors to spread food safety awareness among workers,” he added.

The ADFCA inspection campaign paid special attention to remote areas outside city limits.

Generally, inspectors issue a citation of violation if repeated warnings are not heeded and the penalty is decided by the court. A life-threatening situation or repeated violations warrant temporary closure of the outlet.