Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council Verifies Quantity of Products in Ramadan Food Baskets

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21June, 2017 – Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing the quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, carried out an inspection drive to verify the quantity of products included in the Ramadan food baskets sold across major retail outlets in Abu Dhabi throughout the Holy Month.

As part of the drive, QCC inspectors verified the weight and measure of frozen and pre-packaged products included in the Ramadan food baskets that generally witness a strong demand. The inspection specifically examined the weight of frozen chicken and some types of frozen meat as well as the weight and measure of pre-packaged products to ensure their complete compliance with the mandatory metrological requirements of QCC.

Inspectors also collected samples of packages and products for further examination, and tested them at QCC’s laboratories in line with highest international standards. As part of the drive, nearly 80 different types of popular Ramadan products were examined.

During the campaign, employees handling trade scales at retail outlets were also educated on the proper weighing and packaging practices for vegetables, sweets and meat products. This move was designed to protect the rights of both consumers and traders through ensuring accurate weighing and measurement.

Sultan Saeed Al Mehairi, Director of Information Service and Engagement at QCC, said: "This inspection drive is in line with our annual field visits to the markets in and around Abu Dhabi during the Holy Month of Ramadan when people purchase basic food products in huge quantities. As part of our priority to protect the rights of consumers, manufacturers, distributors and importers, QCC intensifies inspection on retail outlets and trading establishments in the emirate during this time to ensure that the most sought-after food staples included in Ramadan food baskets comply with the relevant health and metrological requirements.”

He added: “The inspection drive reiterates our efforts to achieve the objectives of creating a fairer and safer market in the emirate. It also articulates our priority to leverage public-private partnerships to uphold the interests of producers and consumers alike by ensuring that the weight and size of food products sold in our markets are accurate and conform to the highest metrological standards.” 

Al Mehairi also noted that the inspection drive received strong support and cooperation from trading establishments and retail outlets, acknowledging the importance of QCC’s metrological services and their positive impact on local entities and the economy in general. He also thanked the management of the outlets and trading establishments especially those affiliated with its “Quality Partner” programme including Lulu Hypermarket and Carrefour, for their continued collaboration with QCC inspectors.

Established in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council seeks to raise the quality of the emirate’s exports and locally traded products while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE’s competitive economy. QCC empowers regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. Furthermore, the Council sets guidelines and benchmarks to verify that the products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.