82 Ras Al Khaimah outlets fined Dh27,825

Stepping up its crackdown on erring food and health institutions, the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has slapped 82 outlets with heavy fines amounting to Dh27,825.

The erring shops were part of the 1,337 food and health institutions inspected in different areas of the emirate last month, according to a senior official.

Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, the acting manager of the public health department, on Sunday said that his staff inspectors carried out 365 inspection campaigns in May this year in the emirate.

"Up to 35 food products and 27 cosmetic items were confiscated and destroyed for being expired or unfit for human consumption."

Some outlets here turn deaf ears to our repeated warnings and are only concerned with their interests, while disregarding the impact of their unsafe products on customers' health, she added.

"The RAK municipal inspectors have zero tolerance towards any violation related to people's health, and keep a close eye on all food and health institutions across the emirate."

Al Tunaiji said hefty fines, along with temporary or permanent closures, shall be imposed against erring institutions. "More inspection campaigns shall be launched to get a better control on RAK markets."

While none of the erring shops were shut down, as many as 28 of them were issued warning letters, she disclosed. "Some 82 other outlets were ordered to pay fines, amounting to Dh27,825, as per the type and impact of the violation they were involved in."

Staff inspectors also impounded 14 vehicles after being nabbed while selling foods on the street or offering their vehicles for sale in violation of law, Al Tunaiji explained.

"The public is urged to show no cooperation with street vendors, who mostly come from nearby emirates, as they were not licensed and fail to meet prescribed health guidelines, posing a grave risk to peoples' health."

Official records show that the RAK Municipality issued 2,212 health cards to workers of commercial entities last month. "Up to 145 validity certificates for exporting foodstuff were issued in May as well."

Further, 12,165 animals -- including sheep, goats, and cows -- were slaughtered at the Central Abattoir in Filya area, she stated. "However, 39 other animals were killed for being sick and unfit for human consumption."

Up to 385 animals were slaughtered in the Shawka Abattoir against 2,455 in the RAK Abattoir where one animal was killed for failing to meet due standards, Al Tunaiji elaborated. "Up to 441kg of slaughtered birds were also seized at the RAK international airport."

Source: Khaleej Times