Abu Dhabi: A neighbourhood grocery store was temporarily closed in Abu Dhabi after it was caught flouting the health and safety code.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADFSA) issued an administrative decision to temporarily close Top Save More grocery with commercial license No. CN- 2539204 for posing a risk to consumer safety.
In a statement, the authority clarified that the reasons for the establishment’s closure were due to:
- Accumulating a large amount of food in freezers and refrigerators.
- Unregulated sale of poultry and unidentified fish.
- The establishment’s lack of commitment to renew the commercial license.
The ADFSA also pointed out that five violations were recorded during the year, which were reported against the facility in June, September, October and December.
According to the regulations, establishments are first issued with two warnings and given strict instructions to rectify their mistakes. The third and final warning will lead to the temporary closure of the food outlet until all its wrong practices are corrected.
The authority said the grocery’s closure "comes within the framework of the inspectors’ efforts to strengthen compliance of food safety rules in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” which also emphasises on implementing the strict policy code as issued by authorities.
Residents in Abu Dhabi are urged to report food safety violations to the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre through contacting the toll free number 800 555.
How to avoid food poisoning
During the festive season, restaurants expect a surge in customers as many choose to celebrate the lead up to Christmas and New Year by going out with family and friends.
To ensure your meals are safe, Dubai Municipality has issued six guidelines on how to avoid food poisoning when dining out.
- Get reviews from others who have previously visited the restaurant, and read all the reviews before you visit the establishments. Such types of comments can be easily found online and on apps.
- Check the cleanliness of the restaurant’s entrance, such as windows, and the overall level of cleanliness in the premises, as this is an indication of how clean other areas might be, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Also check how clean the tables are, and look out for any insects.
- Ensure that meat is sufficiently cooked, such as chicken or hamburger. In case of any doubt, send the meal back to the kitchen to be cooked thoroughly.
- Make sure that meals are served appropriately. Hot meals should be served hot, but if its cold, return it back to the kitchen immediately.
- Store leftovers properly. If food is not consumed at the restaurant, it can be taken home within two hours of the purchase. Remember, you should only eat leftovers after one or two days, and it should be heated well.
- Always inform your waiter of any allergies before your meal is prepared.
