More than 300 Dubai school canteens inspected to ensure safety standards

DUBAI // Health inspectors are checking on more than 300 schools to ensure kitchens serving food to pupils meet required safety standards.

The Dubai Municipality campaign began at the start of the new school year, with numerous irregularities uncovered in the technical conditions and practices of the canteens.

Checks were carried out at 315 educational institutions to ensure kitchens were running safely and that food was being stored and transported correctly.

Other checks were made on general hygiene levels and for signs of insects or rodents in areas where food is stored or served.

To pass an inspection, a minimum score of B, or very good, was required and the cleaning of water tanks should be done by companies certified by the municipality.

“All necessary corrective actions were put in place to ensure the application of best practices to achieve the goals of the campaign, and to ensure the safety of foods in circulation,” said Sultan Ali Al Tahir, head of the municipality’s food inspection section.

“The campaign will continue at the beginning of the second term in January and during the third term in the month of April.

“It involves a number of food and health inspectors and officers under the supervision of the school inspection officers’ group in the municipality.”

While public schools depend on approved food companies for food for school canteens, private schools coordinate with approved food companies and prepare some meals on site.

Spot checks on private schools were also carried out in accordance with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s education regulator.