A campaign has been launched in Ajman to test public catering facilities for compliance with legal requirements.
Ajman Municipality launched a campaign on Sunday to inspect catering and manufacturing and import companies in order to reduce violations of sanitary and hygiene standards.
According to a statement by one of Ajman’s senior officials, 1,047 food establishments were fined a large amount in 2017, 5174 companies were issued warnings for violations of sanitary standards. In 2016, inspectors issued fines to 857 catering establishments, and 4693 warnings were issued to companies.
In 2017, a large number of violations were revealed, this is due to the fact that a constant inspection was carried out during the year, especially during the celebration of Ramadan.
The campaign includes an increase in the number of extraordinary and regular inspections of all catering establishments working in the emirate.
Khalid Al Hosani, head of the Department of Health and the Environment of Ajman Municipality, said the number of violations and warnings issued has increased compared to previous years due to tightened control over catering facilities to ensure compliance with sanitary standards and consumer protection.
The official also added that the inspections organized by the municipality last year were aimed at finding out if food establishments comply with the requirements of the technological process.
“The implementation of the Ajman public health program and the training of more than 2,798 food industry personnel have contributed to improving the quality of services provided to consumers,” said Mr. Al Hosani.
He also added that Ajman’s public health program aims to increase public health in accordance with the Federal Food Safety Act.
Al Hosani said that the program in the emirate is aimed at training employees working in the field of public catering, contributes to the implementation of food safety and hygiene systems in such institutions and provides for a comprehensive audit to determine their compliance with accepted standards.
“The head of the Department added that last year 18 institutions working in the field of food circulation were accredited. In accordance with the public health program of Ajman, 2798 people were accepted for internships. In 2016, 10 food institutions were accredited, 1235 workers were trained.
The official urged the owners of public catering enterprises to comply with all sanitary rules and regulations enshrined in Ajman's public health program.
