Institute of Environmental Health to open in Dubai

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) will open its Dubai base, including a training centre, in Healthcare City on September 28.

The organisation, headquartered in the UK, offers tailored training solutions in food hygiene, health and safety, fire protection and environmental awareness.

Already operating in the region from its international offices, existing customers include InterContinental Hotels Group and Oman Air Catering, but demand for a regional base has risen with the GCC’s growing hospitality and tourism industry, according to CIEH.

“As the number of outlets has grown, Dubai Municipality has created a food hygiene and safety grading system where the known offenders’ premises are inspected more frequently,” said general manager Abdul Rashid.

“The focus on enforcement on food hygiene regulations is much more intensive in this region compared to worldwide,” he told Caterer Middle East, going on to refer to a number of violations reported in the UAE’s media over recent months.

Having lived in Dubai for more than 20 years, Rashid spent five years from 1991 as head of food safety at Dubai Municipality, responsible for setting up the procedures and food-management systems for the emirate.

He outlined the most common areas of violation witnessed in Dubai as: cross contamination, for example using the same chopping boards for red meat or poultry as for ready-to-eat foods; temperature control - not keeping chilled foods below five degrees Celsius or hot buffet food items above 65°C; inadequate personal hygiene largely in terms of washing hands regularly and proper storage of food items.

The firm expects up to 80% of its market in the emirates to comprise four- and five-star hotels and international restaurant chains.

“Bad practice often occurs when operations get busy - even in large hotels,” he said, warning that a violation, which may involve a warning or fine could “badly damage” a hotel’s reputation and deter potential guests.

The Dubai base will include facilities for classroom training, which complements the organisation’s online-learning programmes and practical teachings within outlets targeted at helping them adhere to the best practice in food hygiene and safety.

It allocates a dedicated account manager for customers, offering a single point of contact for advice and support. Regular updates and monitoring of service levels ensure the highest standards, CIEH stated.

Candidates can be assessed in most languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Bengali, Malayalam and Nepalese, with a number of different levels of qualifications attainable.

The official launch of CIEH in Dubai will take place during a ceremony at The Meydan Hotel on September 28.