Sharjah Municipality bans sale of Zamzam water at commercial outlets ahead of Eid Al Adha

Sharjah: In a move to safeguard public health and prevent consumer deception, Sharjah City Municipality has officially banned the sale and circulation of Zamzam water in commercial outlets across the city. The municipality is ramping up inspections to ensure strict compliance with the decision, which falls in line with its broader mission to combat commercial fraud and uphold the highest standards of food safety.

Khalid Al Hammadi, head of the Food Control Section, emphasized that the municipality is intensifying market surveillance through regular and surprise inspection campaigns. These efforts aim to detect any food products that fail to meet established health and safety regulations — particularly products like Zamzam water, which can be difficult for the average consumer to distinguish from regular bottled water.

“Our role is to protect consumers from being misled,” Al Hammadi said. “We're continuously updating regulations and licensing standards to regulate commercial and food establishments effectively.”

The decision comes after inspectors recently uncovered a case involving a man who had turned a residential property into an illicit bottling facility. He was filling plastic bottles with regular tank water, falsely labeling them as Zamzam water, and promoting the counterfeit products through social media, selling them at inflated prices.

In light of these developments, the municipality is urging the public not to purchase Zamzam water from local markets. Residents are encouraged to report any violations by contacting the call center at 993. The municipality also warned against dealing with unlicensed food vendors or buying products through social media platforms without verifying the seller’s credentials and official approvals.

Sharjah Municipality's proactive stance underscores its ongoing commitment to transparency, consumer safety, and the integrity of commercial activity in the emirate.