1,908 health cards issued to workers of commercial entities.
Cracking down on erring food and health institutions across the emirate, the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality imposed fines up to Dh23,200 on 72 outlets that were found flouting rules in February. In all, 923 shops were inspected in different areas of the emirate in February this year, according to a top official.
Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of the Public Health Department, said that staff inspectors carried out 332 inspection campaigns in February.
"Up to 77kg products, including 37kg foods and 40kg cosmetic items, were confiscated after they were found unfit for human consumption and were bad for health."
"Some outlets turn deaf ears to our repeated warnings letters and are only concerned with their interests while disregarding the impact of their unfit products on customers' health," she added.
"The RAK municipal inspectors have zero tolerance against any violation related to people's health, and keep a close watch on all food and health institutions."
Al Tunaiji said hefty fines, along with temporary or permanent closure, would be imposed on the erring institutions. "More inspection campaigns will be launched to get a better control on the RAK markets."
Even though none of the erring shops were shut down, 40 of them were issued warning letters, she disclosed. "The 72 erring outlets were ordered to pay fines up to Dh23,200."
Staff inspectors also impounded one vehicle after it was nabbed while selling food on a public road.
"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 norms, posing grave risk to people's health."
1,908 health cards issued
Official records show that the RAK Municipality issued 1,908 health cards to workers of commercial entities last month. "Up to 74 validity certificates for exporting foodstuff were issued in February as well."
Further, 7,665 livestock animals - comprising sheep, goats, and cows - were slaughtered at slaughterhouses of the emirate, including 6,372 at the Central Abattoir in Felayyah area where 39 livestock animals were killed for being sick and unfit for human consumption, she disclosed.
Up to 534 livestocks were slaughtered in the Shawka Abattoir against 564 in the RAK Abattoir, and 195 at the Al Ghail new abattoir, Al Tunaiji pointed out. "Up to 177kg of slaughtered birds were also seized at the RAK international airport."
The central municipal lab has received 519 samples, including 374 food and 145 water samples, for analysis, she said. "Up to 497 of these proved valid, while 22 failed to meet the UAE standards."
This article has been adapted from its original source.
