Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) said its officials conducted surprise inspections at several grocery stores in the emirate and also closed down a store for gross violations in food safety standards.

The inspection at 27 stores in the Musaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi was part of ADFCA's food safety drive, said a senior official.

ADFCA inspectors issued nine warnings, closed down a store for gross violations of food safety standards, and found 17 others in compliance with all rules and regulations, revelaed Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, the director of Communication and Community Service.

“In addition to routine visits, inspectors will continue to conduct unexpected ones to ensure that all food outlets and stores adhere to food safety standards,”he added.

Al Reyaysa described the campaign as part of the authority’s strategy to ensure that consumers from all segments of the society were not at risk from foods that may pose harm.

He also explained that inspectors are checking food expiry dates, in addition to monitoring refrigerators and freezers to ensure proper usage and storage techniques.

ADFCA inspectors found various violations in some stores ranging from lack of cleanliness to storing food items directly on floors which is in clear violation of food safety standards.

They also noticed the accumulation of dirt under tables and behind the display refrigerators, Freezers, in addition to stockpiling food which is a favorable environment for the breeding of insects and rodents.

'ADFCA will remain on the guard for violations and failures to follow food safety standards, and we encourage all stores to adhere to those mandatory safety standards in storing and handling foods,' remarked Al Reyaysa.

'ADFCA‘s inspections will tackle all food-related activities with the aim of providing the highest degree of safety for consumers, especially on occasion such as Eid, Ramadan and so on,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service