Ramadan check-ups trigger 15 warnings and 5 notices

Abu Dhabi: A total of 24 Ramadan tents and 59 promotional kiosks were inspected across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, sparking 15 warnings and five notices over the last two weeks.

Carried out by the Hotel and Events Control Unit of the Abu Dhabi Food and Control Authority (ADFCA), the check-ups primarily targeted common violations such as the suitability of equipment when preparing, cooking, displaying and handling food items.

Mohammad Jalal Al Raisi, director-general of Communication and Community Service Division at ADFCA told Gulf News: “Despite the fact that we issued 15 warnings and five notices this Ramadan, we noticed that the number continues to decrease every year, which validates that we are moving towards the right direction.”

Among some of the violations ADFCA reported this Ramadan include failing to maintain cleanliness and not preserving the right food temperatures, which should either be 5 degree Celsius or 63 degree Celsius, depending on the types of meals.

Additionally, excluding food items’ expiry date and preparing food outdoors were also other inapt activities the inspections saw.

“These wrong practices continue to arise as common issues every Ramadan,” Al Raisi told Gulf News.

With regards to tools and equipment, ADFCA also focused on cross-contamination precautions being taken by the facility owners.

Al Raisi said that the Authority will closely monitor and revisit these temporarily operating tents and kiosks to ensure that rules have been met and implemented.

“I strongly urge customers to let us know immediately if they see that any of the places have failed to adhere to our guidelines as we consider them our partners,” he explained to Gulf News.

Residents are advised to dial 800555 immediately to inform the Authority of any behaviour that may put public’s safety at risk.

Frequent check-ups happen all year round and are not only restricted to the month of Ramadan. “Conducting inspections is something that we never stop doing; public safety is always a priority for us,” Al Raisi told Gulf News.

— Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.