Food poisoning leads to restaurant closure in Fujairah

Dibba Al Fujairah: A restaurant in Dibba Al Fujairah has been closed following a food poisoning case involving three children on the second day of Eid Al Fitr, Obaid Al Adhab acting director of Dibba Al Fujairah hospital told Gulf News.

The children are reported to be in a stable condition now. Al Adhab said that the youngsters were admitted to the Dibba Al Fujairah hospital in a critical condition after developing high fever and suffering from diarrhoea and continuous vomiting.

The children were diagnosed with food poisoning and administered appropriate treatment by doctors at the hospital. They were kept under medical supervision for 48 hours and their condition is now stable, Adhab added .

The emergency section of the hospital informed the police and the municipality department, said Adhab. An official at Dibba Al Fujairah Municipality, who preferred not to be named, told Gulf News that the municipality took immediate action after receiving the report from the hospital.

The complaint was referred to the Public Health and Environment at the municipality who promptly sent inspectors to the restaurant the same day, the official added.

Health regulations

Following the inspection, the restaurant was fined Dh3,000 for violating health regulations and lack of hygiene, and was shut down for a few days.

"The civic body periodically holds food safety awareness campaigns for restaurants, hotels, bakeries and other food handlers to promote safety and hygiene and to avert food poisoning issues," said the official.

He added that the Dibba Al Fujairah Municipality has conducted intensive inspections on restaurants, cafeterias, meat shops, bakeries, groceries and supermarkets.

Inspectors have also issued warning letters to outlets violating hygiene rules. The municipality will continue inspections to promote safety and to ensure all outlets comply with the rules, said the official.

Complaints

Residents in Dibba Al Fujairah can call the 24-hour emergency number 09-2443399 to report any hygienic cases or any food safety violations.