Dubai: Dubai Municipality has announced that it has completed preparations for ensuring health and food safety standards during Ramadan by maximising its inspection visits to markets, food retailers, and food preparation facilities in the emirate.
Sultan Al Taher, director of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality’s public health and food safety inspection teams have increased their work and visits to establishments working in food and meal preparation, traditional kitchens, food warehouses, hotels, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and other markets to ensure food safety and confirm that food establishment owners and employees are following the recommended food safety procedures throughout the various food preparation stages, including storing, cooking, and serving as well as the quality of materials used.”
He added: “Over the holy month of Ramadan, Dubai Municipality will continue to conduct inspections in the food industry, particularly in retail establishments, cooperative societies, and markets such as the Waterfront Market and the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market. We want to ensure that optimum health regulations are followed, as well as ensure the safety of the fresh foods sold in these markets, which spoil quickly if not stored in compliance with the guidelines for food safety.”
What is checked?
The food safety inspection teams of Dubai Municipality concentrate on ensuring that food establishments adhere to the rules and regulations for handling, preparing, storing, and displaying food products, as well as for using methods for thermal preservation and shielding food from pollutants. The teams further check the cleanliness of the procedures and areas used in food preparation, the quality of the oils used, and conformity with local norms.
Considering the increased demand during Ramadan, inspection teams will further keep an eye on food preparation procedures at popular kitchens to make sure they adhere to the standards and guidelines for storage, transit, and display. In addition to that they will monitor the extent to which the workers and supervisors in food establishments adhere to personal hygiene standards, and educate them about hygiene, and emphasise the importance of applying best health practices, adherence to hygiene, and wearing gloves and hairnets.
Hotline
Dubai Municipality’s Call Centre at 800900 is available 24/7 for any questions regarding city health and food safety regulations, as well as feedback and reports on restaurants.
Abattoir timings
Dubai Municipality also announced Ramadan timings for its abattoirs and its preparations to ensure health and safety standards throughout the holy month.
The civic body said the public abattoirs in Dubai are ready and have set their hours to accommodate the increased number of customers.
“The abattoirs have completed the preparations for the holy month, carrying out preventative maintenance on all equipment to guarantee continuous services and faster and effective operations in accordance with the highest standards,” said the municipality.
To offer “a comfortable experience and seamless services”, the Municipality has completed all maintenance work at the Al Quoz and Hatta abattoirs and increased the waiting space for customers.
Moreover, Dubai Municipality established convenient work schedules and procedures for the emirate’s abattoirs, including Al Qusais, Al Quoz, Al Lisaili, and Hatta abattoirs, during Ramadan. The hours of operation are 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. However, on Fridays, work will be halted from 11am to 2pm for Friday prayers.
In order to preserve public health, prevent spread of diseases, and protect the environment from pollution, Dubai Municipality has further initiated a campaign to educate community members on the significance of getting the sacrificial animals slaughtered in abattoirs and preventing slaughtering from other places.
