Violations in food outlets being monitored

Dubai: The last thing customers want to see at a restaurant are cockroaches.

Food outlets across the emirate have come under the scanner as authorities aim to have the level of pest infestation at a minimum — particularly during Ramadan, as thousands of residents visit restaurants to end their fast and also for suhour.

“We carry out inspections in public kitchens and all types of food outlets a month before Ramadan to ensure that they are all clear from rodents and insects. Then, as the month goes on, we carry out follow-ups. It has only been one week of inspections, but the field inspectors have clearly noticed an improvement in hygiene,” said Yousuf Al Suwaidi, Head of Preventive Services Unit, Public Health Pest Control Section at Dubai Municipality.

Speaking to Gulf News, Al Suwaidi explained that from May to June, 1,201 food outlets and establishments were inspected and as many as 249 outlets were found with cockroaches, 67 with rodents, 36 with an infestation of flies, and nine laundries had bedbugs. As many as 197 warnings were issued and 25 were fined, leading to a total amount of Dh11,200.

There are currently 464 restaurants and public kitchens in Dubai, including the rural areas such as Hatta, and after last month’s inspections, 112 were found with cockroaches, 31 with rodents and 14 with flies. As a result of the inspection campaign, 105 were given warnings and eight were slapped with fines.

“Restaurants are preparing more food than they normally would, and this leads to a lot of waste, and employees might neglect to take all the hygienic precautions as they are in a rush. But since last month’s inspection, we expect that food outlets will be more vigilant in and out of their kitchens, and we do not expect as many violations to take place during Ramadan,” said Al Suwaidi.

“Another problem we faced with food outlets is the amount of rodents found outside iftar tents. And although we have not yet issued any fines, we have issued a few warnings and had to spray insecticide outside its premises,” he said.

He also stressed that due to the high temperatures during the summer months, rats, cockroaches and other pests tend to hide indoors as they escape the hot and humid weather.