Dozens of stores, cafes and supermarkets in Sharjah have been fined and hundreds more issued with warnings for breaching food safety regulations during Ramadan.
Sharjah Municipality took action over a host of violations - from failing to store food at correct temperatures and the poor hygiene of workers - after carrying out inspections at 1,145 food establishments in the emirate.
A total of 75 offending outlets were slapped with fines, while 226 received warnings and were told to improve their standards.
The public health campaign, which will run until the end of the holy month, is targeting food warehouses, supermarkets and hypermarkets, grocery stores and cafes.
Omar Al Muhairi, director of food control at Sharjah Municipality, said the crackdown was launched in an effort to safeguard the health of the public.
The municipality issued advice to employees of the establishments on the proper methods of storing foods, the risks of potential contamination and the importance of hygienic practices.
The authority warned that premises that flout safety regulations could be shut down.