Dubai Municipality carries out 69,500 food outlet inspections in 2020

Nearly 69,500 field visits were carried out by Dubai Municipality to inspect food outlets last year.

The authority issued temporary closure orders to as many 451 establishments during the checks, which focused on hygiene and safety standards, as well as compliance with COVID-19 precautionary measures.

The inspection campaigns targeted all regions of the emirate, especially areas with high population density and tourist locations.

Sultan Al Taher, Manager of Food Inspection Section at Dubai Municipality, said the year 2020 witnessed an increase in closures, compared to 2019, due to non-compliance with COVID-19 precautionary measures.

“The smart inspection system is linked with the electronic licencing system of Dubai Department of Economic Development, and the system classifies food establishments, according to the size of the activity, and the degree of risk, which is classified into three - high, medium and low risk classifications.

"There is a checklist according to each activity, and inspection visits are scheduled, based on the establishment's evaluation and risk. Reports are sent by e-mails and text messages, and the feedback from the establishments for corrective actions, objections or complaints also," he explained.

Al Taher also added that 1,303 new food establishments opened in Dubai during 2020, which is an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2019.

"This is considered as an indicator to attract investment in this sector in Dubai, given the ease and speed of procedures of the relevant departments," he said.