No cases of food poisoning reported from the region

Abu Dhabi, September 23, 2010: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) stressed that all food establishments, especially restaurants and traditional public kitchens, in the Western Region, are subjected to regular inspections from the Authority.

A spokesperson from ADFCA, denied there were any cases of food poisoning or other complaints in this regard. "There are only six public kitchens in the Western Region. And against these, there are four inspectors on duty to enforce food safety. In recent times, the inspectors made 118 visits to these establishments, resulting in the issuance of 55 warnings and two cases of violations," he pointed out.

He revealed that the public kitchens have all been assessed by the inspectors and most of them given B-grade, indicating high standards of operations. "We are also insisting that the food handlers in these establishments are sent for Essential Food Safety Training (ESFT) so they learn the methods of safe and scientific handling of food items. 55% of the workers have already undergone the training so far," he explained, referring to suggestions that food safety regulations are not fully implemented in remote areas.

"In the month of Ramadan, ADFCA's inspectors targeted for inspections in a focused manner all the public kitchens that catered food to Ramadan tents. Any violations found were severely dealt with during these inspections," the spokesperson added.