Ramadan in UAE: Abu Dhabi launches campaign to ensure food safety during Ramadan – News

Campaign focuses on monitoring and correcting wrongdoing by food businesses

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has launched an intensive inspection and awareness campaign during Ramadan to ensure the safe handling of food and reduce food waste as part of its efforts to enhance food safety and achieve welfare and safety in Abu Dhabi part of the community.

The inspection campaign is focused on monitoring and correcting wrong practices of food businesses such as food stores, distribution centres, suppliers, outlets of sale, supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, traditional kitchens and catering companies to ensure food safety during Ramadan.

They are also targeting meat and fish markets and vegetable and fruit shops to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.

At the same time, food waste awareness campaigns focus on its detrimental economic and environmental impacts, as ADAFSA provides the public with a set of tips and guidelines on preserving food and encouraging its optimal use.

ADAFSA said its inspection teams are stepping up visits to food businesses in the emirate to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

They also aim to increase worker awareness of proper food safety practices, such as handling food in a healthy manner in terms of preservation and storage, maintaining general cleanliness in preparation areas, and maintaining personal hygiene and hand washing in designated facilities. The campaign also focuses on seeking commitments from food industry workers to wear protective clothing such as hoods, masks and gloves to establish responsibility for food handlers to follow food safety practices and requirements.

ADAFSA also conducts extensive awareness campaigns targeting all segments of society to promote the concept of a food safety culture at all stages of the food chain. This includes tips and guidance on buying food correctly, as well as proper practices for storing, preparing, cooking, preserving and serving food.

It also includes raising awareness of the potential risks of wrong actions and practices in handling meals and food.

The authority also highlighted that this year’s awareness campaign focuses on food waste and its detrimental economic and environmental impact on society.

It provides consumers with a range of tips and guidance on the importance of preserving food and encouraging efficient use of food, and raises awareness of the importance of shopping wisely, purchasing the necessary quantities of food based on family size, checking food before buying shelf life.

ADAFSA states that the campaign aims to change the behavior of individuals in handling food, especially as food consumption increases during Ramadan, in addition to raising community awareness of the importance of reducing food waste by conserving food, planning meals, and identifying Appropriate amounts of food purchased.

It also stated that, in addition to some interactive activities with the public, it also conducts awareness and guidance activities through its official accounts on social media to raise community awareness on the best correct food and safe handling practices and waste reduction.

The Authority also encourages the public to communicate with them and report any irregularities found at any food establishment such as non-compliance or suspected food content by calling the Abu Dhabi Government’s toll-free number 800555. ADAFSA’s inspectors will deal with complaints and take necessary steps to ensure safe and secure food is provided to all members of the community in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.