67 food and health outlets in RAK fined

ras al khaimah — Getting tougher on erring food and health institutions across the emirate, the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has booked 67 outlets for flouting rules in December.

Around 862 food and health institutions were inspected during the period, according to a top official.

Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager of the public health department, said the staff inspectors carried out 311 inspection campaigns in December. “Around 70kg products that proved unfit for human consumption and bad for health were confiscated. These included 52kg of cosmetic products and 17.5kg food products.”

Some outlets turn deaf ears to repetitive warnings letters and disregard the impact of unfit products on customers’ health, she added.

“The RAK municipal inspectors deal with no tolerance to any violation related to people’s health, and keep a close eye on all food and health institutions across the emirate.”

Al Tunaiji said hefty fines along with temporary or permanent closure shall be forced against erring institutions. “More inspection campaigns will be launched to get a better control on the RAK markets.”

While none of the erring shops was shut down, 13 of them were issued warning letters, she disclosed. “The 67 erring outlets were ordered to pay fines up to

Around 70kg products that proved unfit for human consumption and bad for health were confiscated. These included 52kg of cosmetic products and 17.5kg food products.” Shaimaa Al Tunaiji, acting manager, public health department

Dh21,300.” Staff inspectors also impounded one vehicle for selling food on a public road.

“The public is urged to show no cooperation with street vendors, mostly coming from nearby emirates. They are not licensed and fail to meet due health conditions posing a grave risk to people’s health.”

Official records show that the RAK Municipality issued 1,801 health cards to workers of commercial entities last month. “Up to 91 validity certificates for exporting foodstuff were issued in December.”