Dubai Municipality intensifies preparations to ensure adherence to public health and food safety during Ramadan

As part of providing best services and ensuring wellbeing and quality of life

• Municipality inspections to continue throughout Ramadan
• Abattoirs across the emirate are ready to provide quick, effective and high quality services
• Dubai, UAE, 21 March 2023

Dubai Municipality has completed its preparations for ensuring optimum health and safety, and food safety standards during the holy month of Ramadan by maximising its inspection visits to markets, food retailers, and food preparation facilities in the Emirate of Dubai.

The Municipality has further emphasized that abattoirs are ready and have set their hours to accommodate the increased number of customers. By bolstering the sustainable environment, public health, and food safety ecosystems and ensuring the highest standards of health and safety for society members, in addition to boosting trust in food safety, the Municipality is further working to provide the best services and ensure the wellbeing and best quality of life for residents.

Sultan Al-Taher, Director of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality's public health and food safety inspection teams have increased their work and visits to establishments working in food and meal preparation, traditional kitchens, food warehouses, hotels, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and other markets in order to ensure food safety and confirm that food establishment owners and employees are following the recommended food safety procedures throughout the various food preparation stages, including storing, cooking, and serving as well as the quality of materials used.”

“Over the holy month of Ramadan, Dubai Municipality will continue to conduct inspections in the food industry, particularly in retail establishments, cooperative societies, and markets such as the Waterfront Market and the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market. We want to ensure optimum health regulations are followed, as well as ensure the safety of the fresh foods sold in these markets, which spoil quickly if not stored in compliance with the guidelines for food safety,” Al Taher added.

Health and safety requirements and standards

The food safety inspection teams of Dubai Municipality concentrate on ensuring food establishments adhere to the rules and regulations for handling, preparing, storing, and displaying food products, as well as for using methods for thermal preservation and shielding food from pollutants. The teams further check the cleanliness of the procedures and areas used in food preparation, the quality of the oils used, and conformity with local norms.

Considering the increased demand during Ramadan, inspection teams will further keep an eye on food preparation procedures at popular kitchens to make sure they adhere to the standards and guidelines for storage, transit, and display. In addition to that they will monitor the extent to which the workers and supervisors in food establishments adhere to personal hygiene standards, and educate them about hygiene, and emphasize the importance of applying best health practices, adherence to hygiene, and wearing gloves and hairnets.

Preparations at Abattoirs

Abattoirs in Dubai have completed the preparations for the holy month carrying out preventative maintenance on all equipment to guarantee continuous services and faster and effective operations in accordance with the highest standards. To offer a comfortable experience and seamless services, the Municipality has completed all maintenance work at the Al Quoz and Hatta abattoirs and increased the waiting space for customers.

Moreover, Dubai Municipality established convenient work schedules and procedures for the emirate's abattoirs, including Al Qusais, Al Quoz, Al Lisaili, and Hatta abattoirs, during Ramadan. The hours of operation are 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. However, on Fridays, work will be halted from 11 AM to 2 PM for Friday prayers.

In order to preserve public health, prevent spread of diseases, and protect the environment from pollution, Dubai Municipality has further initiated a campaign to educate community members on the significance of carrying out the slaughter in abattoirs and preventing external slaughter.

Dubai Municipality's Call Centre at 800900 is available 24/7 for any questions regarding city health and food safety regulations, as well as feedback and reports on restaurants.

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