The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority closed fewer restaurants for violations this year than during the same period in 2009.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority closed fewer restaurants for violations this year than during the same period in 2009.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority closed fewer restaurants for violations this year than during the same period in 2009.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority closed fewer restaurants for violations this year than during the same period in 2009.

Unhygienic restaurants named and shamed


Haneen Dajani
  • English
  • Arabic

ABU DHABI // Restaurant operators promised to improve hygiene standards after the emirate's food safety watchdog named 17 outlets that were temporarily closed because of violations. The restaurants posed risks to public health, according to Mohammed al Reyaysa, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority's spokesman. He said they were identified because they repeatedly failed to uphold safety regulations.

"When all efforts fail, we are left with no other option but to order the closure of the outlet that functions in utter disregard for public health and the law of the land," he said. "The health and safety of the consumer is the red line that should not be crossed in any circumstance." Of the 17 establishments that were closed this year, 15 were in Abu Dhabi city and two were in Al Gharbia. They were allowed to reopen after the Food Control Authority was confident the violations had been corrected.

One of the restaurants was shut last year for the same reason, and a third closure could result in the outlet's licence being revoked, Mr al Reyaysa said. The restaurants closed were "fraught with potential danger to the health of the consumers", such as kitchens infested with insects, improper drainage systems and waste disposal, and mixing meat and fruits, he said. The work supervisor at Hatem Iranian Restaurant in Marina Mall, who asked not be named, said his restaurant was closed after being caught twice in a year for the same problems.

"We were issued a fine last November because the staff were not complying with some regulations such as wearing a cap, gloves or apron. And because they found water on the floor," he said. He said the inspectors focused on small details and sometimes arrived during preparations hours. "They did not have a specific timing," he said. "Sometimes they used to show up while we were still preparing to open or at 11pm.

"But now I'm aware that even the smallest details are important. When we're at home if a hair falls in the kitchen we overlook it. However, when we are preparing food for customers, these things cannot be overlooked." He has put a notice in the kitchen reminding workers to abide by the rules or face dismissal. Mr al Reyaysa criticised restaurants that complain inspections are too rigorous. "We have clear requirements and regulations that are based on global best practices," he said. "We are not less, and our consumers are not less, than those in Europe and America. We do not sacrifice the health of the consumer so establishments can make more money or avoid having their names mentioned in the media."

He also defended the practice of naming offenders. "If the situation reaches a closure it means that the establishment didn't fulfil its requirements and we noticed through naming them that there is increased following of the regulations," he said. The supervisor at Hatem said he had recruited two employees to sweep the floor all day. "I cannot afford to repeat the loss the closure caused," he said. "My restaurant closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, resulting in a loss in around Dh150,000 (US$41,000)."

Ali Bakeer, a supervisor at Al Wahda restaurant on Airport Road, said his establishment had been closed for a day earlier this year by the Food Control Authority because it was not clean. "I think the inspection process was fair," he said. "It was a good lesson for us. We improved a lot after the closure and our customers are more happy now." He blamed a shortage of staff for the previous problems. The restaurant has hired two more employees, who will be arriving in two or three days.

Fewer restaurants were closed than in the same period last year, despite adding Al Gharbia to the inspectors' area. From January to May 2009, 42 restaurants and outlets were closed in the capital. Jood Nasser, a 23-year-old Emirati planning analyst who is a regular customer at Hatem, said she would continue to eat there despite the temporary closure. "The food is really good compared to its competitors, and the seating plan is nice," she said. "I also like the location; it is very convenient being in Marina Mall."

Maryam Amiri, a 25-year-old Emirati who works in communications, said: "Once I find out any place has been shut down for health issues, I stop going. It is not like we have a lack of choices here that I'd risk my health for a specific restaurant." kshaheen@thenational.ae hdajani@thenational.ae

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Types of policy

Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.

Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.

Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.

Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Company%C2%A0profile
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm

Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh317,671

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

LIST OF INVITEES

Shergo Kurdi (am) 
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris

Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills