Abu Dhabi redoubles safety inspections for Ramadan

Abu Dhabi food authorities have doubled down inspections over Ramadan, and at the time of writing have assessed almost 200 grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets in the emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority had earlier announced that it would ramp up checks on the validity of special-offer food for the month, and ensure outlets were applying all health and food safety standards. 

The inspections resulted 15 alerts, 125 warnings and one citation. Officials reported the “very good” storage and display conditions they encountered at retailers they inspected. 

Thamer Al Qasimi, the ADFCA’s spokesman, said that all food establishments should expect heavy monitoring by inspectors during the summer period and Ramadan in Abu Dhabi. This, he said, was due to the “special nature” of the season, with its higher temperatures and increased demand for buying food products. 

He also stressed that the inspection campaign was not just focused on uncovering violations, but it was also designed to drive food safety awareness to wipe out unsafe practices and strengthen food safety principles in Abu Dhabi’s markets.