Dubai F&B outlets violate safety rules

Some food and beverage outlets in Dubai have been found to flaunt health and safety rules, said a spokesperson from Dubai Municipality.

Khalid Mohammad Shareef, director of Food Control Department, explained: “In spite of all inspection programs in place by the Food Control Department, we still find some food establishments violate some rules of food safety. Some officials or managers are not well trained or not involved the application of food safety practices in their organisations.”

As part of Dubai Municipality’s keenness to ensure the health and safety of the community, the Food Control Department introduced the health supervisor programme in 2010. The move is aimed to supervise, follow-up and train the workers in food establishments where the supervisor has to implement necessary health requirements to ensure food safety.

As of January 2011, all food establishments should have an in charge person with appropriate training and a certificate in the food safety. He can be the company owner, manager, chef, kitchen manager, quality manager, or any equivalent person who is always involved in the work.

“External inspectors also have been trained to inspect the areas in the Emirate of Dubai. The external inspector has to nominate a person in charge of health supervisor to oversee and follow-up in his establishment,” Shareef said.