Dubai slams false claims against Jafza products

Products manufactured at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) are not inferior, the Dubai Media Office (DMO) said in a series of tweets on Monday, following a concerted smear campaign on social media targeting UAE-made goods.

Over the past few days, there has been a systematic smear campaign on social media targeting Jafza, which has 7,500 companies from around the world, the DMO tweeted.

The DMO identified social media users and influencers from countries known for their hostile orientations to the UAE and Saudi Arabia as those behind the dirty campaign.

Jafza and all the free zones in Dubai and other emirates are subject to the supervision and inspection of UAE authorities in accordance with the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), which are accredited regionally and internationally, the DMO added.

Earlier, Esma affirmed that all locally manufactured or imported products sold in the UAE markets are in compliance with the accredited national and GCC standards and are subject to the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM), the country's comprehensive quality system for ensuring products conformity to specifications and for fulfilling consumers' rights.

Esma clarified the rules for auditing and controlling manufacturing in the country, including products manufactured for export to GCC states and some foreign countries.

"Some products may be subject to the regulations, specifications, standards and procedures of importing countries but are always in accordance with the standard specifications," Esma said in a statement.

"The production lines of several factories operating in the country belong to major international brands, and production and manufacturing operations are carried out according to high controls, standards and specifications," Esma underlined.

Esma said it is closely following up on social media allegations regarding some products and called on the public to ensure accuracy of information and to contact the regulatory authorities for any inquiries or complaints.

Esma also clarified that the UAE specifications and relevant regulations ensure that production are in conformity with the highest quality standards and that such products meet consumers' expectations in terms of materials used, functions, packing, storage and display.

Jafza is home to 529 food manufacturers, including American, British and German companies. More than130 countries consume food products manufactured in Jafza, and this is testament to quality, safety, and conformity to international specifications.