HUDA AL TUNAIJI  (RAS AL KHAIMAH)

The Public Health Administration of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Municipality conducted 7,882 inspection campaigns in the first half of this year, resulting in 4,899 violations and warnings. Adel Al Suwaidi, director of the Health Department at RAK Municipality, told Aletihad that these inspections targeted various food, health, and veterinary establishments across the emirate.

The campaigns focused on enforcing compliance with health requirements related to food safety, instructing workers on personal hygiene, and emphasising the need for training on the basics of food safety. During this period, 1,579 violations were recorded, along with 3,320 warnings and observations, he said.

In addition, 763 unfit consumer and cosmetic products were confiscated and destroyed according to regulations. Among the confiscated items were tobacco and its derivatives, expired cosmetics, perfumes, and henna. Eight establishments were found to have unsuitable henna products, leading to the confiscation of 76 containers, which were subsequently destroyed. The total amount of food products destroyed was 5.87 tonnes, including expired and spoiled items that could have posed a risk to consumer health and safety.

Al Suwaidi also mentioned that slaughterhouses received 52,174 animals, of which 102 were completely rejected, and 862 had specific parts or organs rejected. The quantity of fish received in the emirate’s markets during the first half of the year reached 3,436 tonnes, marking a 12% increase compared to the same period last year.

Thanks to the vendors’ adherence to the instructions issued by the Veterinary Control and Services Section, only two violations were recorded during this period. These violations included the display of spoiled fish and improper thawing methods. A total of 116 orders were delivered to consumers’ homes through the “Fresh To Home” app.
Al Suwaidi noted that 253 inspection visits were conducted at vegetable and fruit shops, resulting in 65 violations.

Furthermore, 1,335 inspection visits were conducted at restaurants, bakeries, and popular kitchens, resulting in 271 violations, mainly for non-compliance with health requirements, Al Suwaidi said.