Abu Dhabi issues hygiene warnings to bakeries

Abu Dhabi: Food safety inspectors in Abu Dhabi found that only about 21 per cent of bakeries and confectionery shops they inspected yesterday complied with all food safety rules.

About 79 per cent of the inspected outlets did not comply with all the rules because of certain minor discrepancies, according to Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.

In an intensive inspection campaign conducted ahead of the Ramadan, the authority yesterday inspected 52 bakeries and confectionery shops, and issued two "violation" notices and 39 warnings, a senior official told Gulf News. Only 11 outlets complied with all food safety rules, said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Authority.

"Though in percentage terms the rate of full compliance might be construed rather small, it is to be noted that the discrepancies detected are not of a serious nature. The fact that only warnings have been issued except in the case of two violations goes to show that the food safety situation in the capital's bakeries and confectionery shops is rather satisfactory, Al Reyaysa said.

The inspections at two outlets were conducted in the presence of journalists. At a confectionery shop in Al Khalidiya, the inspectors found the staff in the kitchen were reusing a plastic container of a cream and an unused machine was lying in the kitchen.

"This is the first time we found a problem in this outlet, so we will issue a warning only as they were always keeping high standards," the inspectors told Gulf News.

"We always educate the outlets that reusing plastic containers of any food products can cause contamination," they said. An unused machine should be discarded as it attracts dirt and pests, which will contaminate food, the inspectors explained.

The manager of the bakery said the staff reused the plastic container to keep nuts, thinking that it was harmless. The machine was not working regularly but they will correct the two problems immediately, the manger said.

At the bakery of LuLu Hypermarket in Al Khalidiya Mall, the inspectors did not find any discrepancies. "The regular inspections by the authority helps us to maintain high standards," Huzefa M. Rupawala, said Deputy General Manager of the hypermarket.

In view of the Ramadan season and with a view to making sure the consumers will not face food risks during the fasting month, the various inspections units of the Authority have intensified inspections at all types of food outlets.

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