he Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has fined seven fish outlets and issued warnings to 17 other establishments for flouting hygiene rules.

The inspection officials also seized and destroyed 42kg of spoilt and bad fish from the shops. The fish, which had a bad smell, were deemed unfit for human consumption by ADFCA officials.

Officials said the violators were identified during an inspection campaign carried out at 120 outlets, including retail shops, restaurants, meat shops, fish outlets, and fruits and vegetable shops across the emirate.

The officials tested food safety, hygiene, cleanliness, the quality of food products and the temperature in which they were stored. "This was the third major inspection campaign on food outlets this year," said an official from the ADFCA.

"It was part of a series of campaigns by officials from the food control department on all food, animal and agricultural establishments in the emirate to educate consumers and owners of food outlets on the importance of food hygiene in order to protect public health."

According to ADFCA, the inspection teams carry out random checks to ensure that food safety and hygiene are not being violated.

During the inspection, the officers evaluate the food handler's practices, how the food is received and stored, how it is prepared, processed, served and stored for future use.

The inspectors also check for deficiencies in the physical plant facilities and pest-related insects and rodents violations.

Outlets caught in violations are slapped fines starting from Dh1,000 as part of a stringent food safety system which doesn't compromise with the health and safety of consumers, according to authorities.

The officials have warned that they would continue cracking down on violators and urged outlets to abide by the laws so as to protect the health of consumers.

Must know

42kg of spoilt and bad fish were seized from the shops

17 establishments were warned for flouting hygiene rules

120 outlets were inspected by the officials for food safety

Dh1,000 is the minimum fine slapped on erring outlets

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