The closure of Birat Manila Restaurant will continue until certain issues are addressed, authorities said. Photo: Adafsa
The closure of Birat Manila Restaurant will continue until certain issues are addressed, authorities said. Photo: Adafsa
The closure of Birat Manila Restaurant will continue until certain issues are addressed, authorities said. Photo: Adafsa
The closure of Birat Manila Restaurant will continue until certain issues are addressed, authorities said. Photo: Adafsa

Birat Manila Restaurant closed in Abu Dhabi for breaching non-halal rules


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Authorities in Abu Dhabi have temporarily closed a restaurant for breaching non-halal food regulations.

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority ordered the closure of Birat Manila Restaurant after it was found to be preparing and selling non-halal food without the required permits.

The authority said the restaurant was also storing and preparing non-halal food using the same equipment and tools used for halal food without proper separation.

It said the restaurant would remain closed until the issues are addressed.

"To do so, the facility needs to change its equipment and thoroughly clean and sterilise the entire premises before reopening to the public,” the authority said.

The Adafsa said the decision was part of continuing inspections to ensure food is prepared properly. All establishments in the emirate that serve food are subject to regular assessments.

The public has been asked to report any breaches by calling 800 555.

In June, the authority introduced Zadna Rating stickers, affixing them to the exteriors of nearly 7,000 food establishments across the emirate.

The stickers feature a QR code that allows the public to easily access the assessment of food safety levels of the restaurant or cafe.

Authority ratings range from "excellent", "very good", "good" and "needs improvement".

The ratings apply to restaurants, cafes, bakeries and catering establishments and the process is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.

The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.

The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.

The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.

Updated: August 17, 2023, 11:21 AM