Nearly 30 Eateries Shut Down for Health and Safety Violations in Fujairah

Fujairah Municipality has ordered the closure of 29 food establishments in 2024 for health and safety violations in Fujairah. Such closure measures were enforced after serious violations, which posed serious risks to public health and safety.

“Food safety and public health are our main focus, and we maintain this through strict enforcement of measures,” said Mohammed Al Afkham, Director-General of Fujairah Municipality. “Our aim is to keep the environment safe and clean, and ensure food products conform with the highest health standards,” Al Afkham said.

Offending practices that warranted closures included improper food-temperature maintenance, unhygienic practices, and poor upkeep of essential facilities such as flooring, ceilings, and drainage. Most of the restaurants also did not train their staff on appropriate health and safety practices, were operating without licenses, and did not comply with preventive measures such as wearing masks and gloves and maintaining social distancing.

Meanwhile, the Health Control Department of the municipality carried out 31,462 inspections last year, apart from the closures. These yielded 1,525 ultimates, and additional orders of closure against establishments that violated health regulations repeatedly. Al Afkham remarks that these inspection campaigns can be very much credited with keeping Fujairah as a role model for public health and safety. “The inspections are meant to keep the city clean and professional and to guarantee a safe food supply for consumers,” he said.

Fujairah Municipality is vigilant in its fight against pest infestation, imposing restrictions on pesticides, and allowing only pest control operators who hold an appropriate license to carry out pest control operations. The municipality focuses its efforts on some high-priority areas, including beaches, parks, markets, and residential areas, in the fight against mosquito, fly, and rodent infestations, in keeping with global best practices for the protection of public health.

Al Afkham reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for any establishment posing a risk to the health of consumers. Al Afkham assured the public that there would continuously be inspection campaigns to keep violators accountable without delay. “We are constantly conducting improvements to our health monitoring systems and raising awareness among food and health facility workers to uphold best practices in food safety,” he concluded.