RAK residents shun vegetable market

Residents are complaining that vegetable market vendors are selling rotten produce because they are kept exposed to the sun.

Most people are now going to grocery shops to get fresh vegetables, despite the prices being higher.

Saleh Asadoh, a national, said he goes to the vegetable market at night and still finds rotten vegetables.

The main problem in the vegetable market is that vendors do not have proper shades to protect vegetables and they do not survive the heat.

"Prices in shops outside the market are higher, but I want to stop buying from the market," he said.

Those brought from other emirates in trucks are also rotten because the vehicles are not covered. Vehicles, he said, must be refrigerated.

Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said vendors are not allowed to display vegetables under the sun, especially things like tomatoes, which rot quickly.

Inspectors will intensify inspections in the market and they have been given strict instructions to seize and destroy rotten vegetables.

Al Shamsi stressed the problem lies with the construction of the market because shops do not have covers to display produce. This, however, will change when the new vegetable and fruit markets open soon.

The reconstruction of Al Muaireed vegetable market will be completed soon and other vegetable markets in the emirate will be replaced with new ones to accommodate all traders.

He urged the people to report to the municipality any violation at the vegetable markets.

Al Shamsi said it is the joint responsibility of the municipality and the people to curb these offences.

Traders have been instructed to install thick shades and been warned not to sell vegetables which have been exposed to the sun.