Sharjah intensifies inspection on food outlets during Ramadan and summer

Sharjah: Sharjah Municipality has announced that it has intensified its inspection of food outlets before the start of Ramadan to ensure that restaurants and supermarkets are in compliance with the health regulations.

Dr Rasha Ahmad Al Qasimi, Assistant Director-General for Quality, Health and Environment at the municipality, said that while the municipality has conducted two types of inspection campaigns all year around, it has especially intensified inspection visits during the summer season and before the start of Ramadan.

The first campaign which targets groceries and supermarkets, focuses on the efficiency of their refrigerators and ACs, and keeps track of whether they are operating during the night hours.

The second campaign focuses on the hygiene conditions at different kitchens and restaurants and the efficiency of their ventilators, chimneys and suction fans.

“The Food Control Section will increase the number of inspectors in order to tighten control on all food establishments during Ramadan,” added Dr Rasha.

The inspection campaigns will also ensure that the food is stored in a temperature-controlled system, and that the areas of preparation are sanitised. Dr Rasha also pointed out that the level of hygiene maintained by the staff at the food outlets will also be evaluated and monitored during the campaigns.

The inspection visits resulted in a total of 5,392 violations for health, hygiene, and overall cleanliness which were issued from the start of this year until the month of June.

Dr Rasha explained that the inspection visits include awareness campaigns which educated shop owners and consumers about the proper methods of food storage and ways to enhance hygiene in order to avoid endangering public health.

The campaigns include inspection visits from 9am to 1am that will cover all food establishments in Sharjah.

“There will be extra shifts on Fridays, Saturdays and other official holidays, in addition to the emergency inspector who works round the clock to follow up on the complaints we receive on the municipality hotline,” said Dr Rasha.

For any inquiries, call the hotline 993.