Municipality says contamination cases not on the increase

Dubai: Dubai Municipality has said that most cases of food poisoning are domestic and that cases are not on the increase.

Khalid Mohammad Sharif Al Awadi, Assistant Director of Public Health Department and Head of Food Control Section in Dubai Municipality, said: "We don't have that many reports of food poisoning at the moment, and most food poisoning is domestic. If someone thinks they have food poisoning they should call us and inform a doctor, because we can't do anything without a medical report."

Upon a report of food poisoning from a restaurant, the Food Control Section takes samples of the last three meals made at the outlet. This is then tested for bacteria, which is compared to doctor's results from a complainant's medical tests.

Bacteria

However, without a doctor's report, the types of bacteria cannot be compared and no action against a restaurant can be taken, Sharif said.

"We have to compare the samples, because the last meal cooked in a restaurant may not be the cause of the food poisoning - this is why we take three samples. Also, sometimes symptoms take four hours or 48 hours to show," he said.

The Food Control Section also handles complaints of infested food products. Complaints such as these are investigated at the shop concerned and if infestation is found, the shop can be closed and fined.

Sharif said: "We have data that is compiled into reports. If there is an increase of cases from this data, we will plan a campaign on how to avoid food contamination or food poisoning."

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

- Vomiting

- Diarrhoea

- High fever

- Fainting and dizziness

- Stomach pain or cramps

Action to take after consulting a doctor

- Retain the medical report

- Report the case to Dubai Municipality Food Control Section

- If the food has been taken away from the restaurant, save a sample for examination.

Complaint

Call 04-223 2323 - this is the Dubai Municipality complaint number.