Dubai: On an average, two to three new food outlets are opened in Dubai every day, according to Dubai Municipality.
In the first half of this year, 473 new food outlets were opened, marking an increase of seven per cent over the same period last year, the civic body said in a press release on Thursday.
Sultan Ali Al Taher, acting director of Food Safety Department, said the food and beverage sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Dubai, which is very attractive for investment due to the fast-paced urban development witnessed by the city.
Most of these establishments are located in the new areas of Dubai with different food activities such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels, cafes and catering companies.
Al Taher said the food establishments in Dubai are witnessing an annual increase of seven per cent and the number has reached 16,518 until mid-2018.
He said the number is still increasing. “Especially as the country is about to host Expo 2020 in two years, a significant increase is expected in the number of food establishments before the launch of the global event.”
Al Taher said the Food Inspection Section is always keen on supervising all food activities during the events held in the emirate to ensure that these temporary activities are carried out in accordance with the best standard practices to guarantee that safe food is provided to the visitors at events and festivals.
He said it is done in coordination with the Permits and Applied Nutrition Section in the Food Safety Department.
The organisers of the events require temporary permits for this type of activity in order to achieve the strategic goal of the department, which is “to enhance confidence in food safety” among consumers and attendees of events and festivals and support the tourism sector in the emirate, the official added.
