Food inspectors at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) have recently carried out a surprise inspection drive on various food establishments doing their business alongside the highways in Abu Dhabi.

The drive, in which 32 inspectors took part, comes as part of the continuous follow up program for ADFCA inspectors to check if the food shops in the emirate follow all the safety conditions and requirements set by ADFCA in order to ensure that only safe and healthy food items are served to customers.

Out of the 157 food establishments the teams covered,  73 facilities were given warnings while 17 facilities were imposed fines for violating the rules. During the drive, the inspectors destroyed some 86 kg of spoiled food items and given instructions to 22 establishments to better their services. The ADFCA inspection teams found 41 establishments to be complying with all the conditions and following ADFCA's food safety procedures.

In this regard, Thamer Al Qasimi,  Acting Director of Communication & Community Service Division at ADFCA said : "We launch this type of surprise inspections at certain intervals on groceries, restaurants and other food establishments in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to ensure that they meet all kind of health and safety requirements. Sudden and surprise visits will help us to ensure that violators take no temporary actions to protect them from inspection procedures "

"We deploy inspectors in small groups in order to cover the facilities almost simultaneously leaving no chance for facility staff to remove the violations temporarily, before inspectors could reach their businesses" he added.

Mr. Al Qasimi urged public to be keen on notifying ADFCA if any bad practices noticed or come across any incidents involving sale of spoiled food.