The public will soon be able to lodge complaints against substandard food and unhygienic conditions at restaurants via an official consumer hotline.
"Our inspectors regularly inspect food outlets and take samples of any suspected items for laboratory analysis to check their fitness for human consumption." Mubarak Aylan Abdullah Al Muhairi |
The authority, he said, has been working out a new plan to enforce stringent quality controls on all food items and to ensure hygienic conditions in rest-aurants, cafeterias and establishments handling food are maintained.
"We are in the process of employing more experts and technical staff to step up our operations," said the deputy director of the FCA, that has recently been separated from the municipality to function independently.
Al Muhairi said the transitional period is expected to end by December, but the authority has been operating without pause to ensure food safety in the city.
"Our inspectors regularly inspect food outlets and take samples of any suspected items for laboratory analysis to check their fitness for human consumption," he said.
He said the authority has been strict in implementing the Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP). Under this system, people handling food items at all establishments in the city are provided training on food safety.
"This training has been declared mandatory by the General Directorate of Municipalities for all food establishments," he said, adding the FCA in Al Ain has also given training to people handling food in restaurants.
Under this programme, the authority allows only those who pass a mandatory medical fitness test declaring them free from communicable diseases to handle food items.
Al Muhairi said no one could sell any food without getting prior permission from the authority.
"We first analyse the item and permission is given upon finding it free from contamination and is fit for human consumption."
He also highlighted the need for public cooperation, saying people should immediately contact the authority if they encounter substandard or unfit food being sold in the city.
A team of five FCA officials is always ready to respond to such complaints 24 hours a day.
"It's very simple, a person can complain to police and the police pass on the information to the FAC team," he said.
The FCA deputy director added food outlets and restaurants in Al Ain have to move their roadside cooking facilities indoors by the end of this month.
Adulterated saffron off the shelves
The Food Control Authority (FCA) confiscated substandard saffron, a spice used for colouring and enhancing taste in food, during an inspection raid here recently. The saffron was adulterated with other flowers, according to a source at the FCA.
The source said the saffron was found hazardous for human consumption. The official said it had been removed from shelves and confiscated. The FCA has forwarded the case to the authorities for further action against the people involved, he said.
