Thursday, Aug 01, 2013
Dubai: The civic body is cracking down on food establishments and iftar tents that fail to provide a hygienic environment for customers, as a number of cockroaches and rodents have been found in their premises.
Since the beginning of June, as many as 15 food establishments were fined and 105 have received warnings after inspectors from Dubai Municipality found them to have signs of cockroach infestation or environmental factors suitable for breeding.
El Mahi Gubran, specialist at the public health services department at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News yesterday that inspectors visit the areas where food is prepared in the morning, and then pay a follow up visit after iftar in cooperation with the Waste Management Department.
“All the cockroaches and rodents were found in the kitchens, and this type of unhygienic environment is unacceptable, so the food outlets were fined on the spot. Establishments that were given a written warning notice were those that had favourable factors that could lead to an infestation, such as food, water and shelter,” he said.
Gubran explained that although the main pests were cockroaches and rats, other culprits included cockroach eggs, lice, and droppings.
The inspection, which is carried out a yearly basis, was spread all across Dubai and targeted public kitchens, restaurants and iftar tents.
“In preparation for the month of Ramadan, we organised an inspection campaign to monitor all sorts of food establishments in the morning and evening to ensure that pests are exterminated,” said Hisham Abdul Rahman Al Yahya, head of pest control public health at Dubai Municipality.
”Once Ramadan started, we intensified our campaign to increase the monitoring of food establishments, particularly on iftar tents which are visited by hundreds of residents,” said Al Yahya.
“The campaign controls and evaluates areas where food is prepared and distributed in order to limit the spread of insects and rodents that brings about diseases and affects the health of customers,” he added.
By Mariam M. Al Serkal Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
