Dubai warns against Ramadan outdoor food displays

Dubai Municipality is urging all food outlets not to display snack and food items outside during the Holy Month of Ramadan without obtaining a permit in advance from the Food Control Department.

Ramadan is a 30 day period when Muslims abstain from eating and drinking in the daylight hours.

Outlets have been asked not to heat, cook or process items outside establishments and not to display food items before (at the most) two hours before Iftar.

Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al Awadi, director of Food Control Department at DM said: “We wish to implement a comprehensive food safety mechanism to achieve our dream to become a city where sustainability and comfort of living is ensured” said Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al Awadi, director, Food Control Department at DM.

Al Awadi said the final cooking process should be done two hours, again at the most, before selling it.

He added that food items should be displayed only inside highly efficient hot cabinets, made in accordance with adequate health and safety requirements and specifications, and workers should maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene.

“As part of Dubai Municipality’s implementation of best practices in the field of food safety, the department has already fixed many conditions in food production and processing. During Ramadan we are more alert not to [prevent] any food related incidents,” said Al Awadi.

Displays must not contain high –risk items like meat, chicken and fish. Snacks should be displayed in food cabinets specially made for food storage and display spots should be neat and far from any possible external contamination.

Outlets wishing to display food items, must contact Dubai Municipality Centre in Al Tawar submitting their application with the list of products they wish to display. The fee for this is AED210 (US $57).