Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) revealed that it had received a total of 472 food safety complaints in the first quarter of the current year. This is an increase of 153% over the same period in the previous year, in which the Authority received 286 complaints.
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA said the increase in the number of complaints indicated steep rise in the level of public awareness about food safety and the trust of the public in ADFCA's role. "This is reflective of the general public playing the role of inspectors during their shopping trips. The complaints we received make it clear that the people are now carefully reading the food labels and following up on food-related news," he explained.
Al Reyaysa has said the Abu Dhabi Government's Communication Centre responds to 71% of the complaints after ADFCA has provided the clarifications as these consist of repetitive or habitual queries pertaining to rules and regulations and other routine information. "29% of the complaints are directly dealt with, after being transferred from the Communication Centre (toll free number 800555) to ADFCA for further action and intimation," he pointed out.
"The Customer Service Department of ADFCA looks into all the complaints, shares them with the relevant divisions for further clarification and action and subsequently intimates the complainants about the action being taken. All food-related complaints are referred to the Food Safety sector, which assigns the inspectors to follow up on the complaint matter and to take appropriate action. As for complaints about the services of the Authority, they are sent to the relevant divisions for further consideration and action," he added.
