The municipality is striving to ensure food vending carts adhere to strict hygiene rules while having a modern look.
Vendors, who are seen more frequently in markets, shopping malls, parks and entertainment venues, will have to follow the new rules in one month's time.
A new set of hygiene regulations was created in early December by the food control section covering those who sell sweetcorn, chips and popcorn.
Khalid Mohammed Shareef, Assistant Director of the Public Health Department and Head of the Food Control Section, said that Dubai Municipality is giving a one-month grace period to vendors to ensure their mobile carts conform to the new regulations.
"The municipality inspectors will also keep their eyes on those vendors and their carts. These are regarded as small food establishments, so it is strictly forbidden for them to sell food which may get spoiled very fast.
"The only kind of food permitted for sale are ready-made foods which do not need preparation or preservation. "Selling food via a vending cart without advanced permission is illegal and a trade licence must be obtained from the Department of Development and Economy.
"The food must be prepared in a licensed trade establishment such as a restaurant, but never on the mobile cart itself. However, it is permitted to fry, heat or grill the food, but only at the time of serving.
"Different foods should be kept separate from each other and care should be taken to avoid contamination. All serving sets should also be disposable. The mobile cart should be made from stainless steel and should be hard-wearing and easy to clean. It should also be and supplied with a water tank.
"Other requirements are a steel sink with a double bowl, a freezer and a place for waste water. The vendors should adhere to hygiene standards. Their nails, hands and hair should obviously be clean, they should wear hygienic gloves and no smoking is allowed."
Special booklets have been distributed to all those involved in the business. Shareef added that food inspectors were set to conduct regular checks to ensure that all food establishments meet the municipality's standards.
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