ABU DHABI // Health inspectors issued far fewer fines to restaurants in the capital last month for hygiene violations, although they issued 60 per cent more warnings.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority said it closed one food retailer and fined three restaurants in January, compared to 12 fines and one closure in the same month last year.
The numbers offer the first sign that the authority's new hardline approach is working, it said.
The tough new measures include naming restaurants that are closed, as well as releasing often graphic descriptions of the violations, such as insect infestations.
"There is discipline now," said Mohammed al Reyaysa, the authority's spokesman.
"At first they were not taking it seriously, but they saw that any organisation that is lax faces difficult punishments. If they want to compete in the market their standards need to be high, especially if they want their business to succeed."
The authority also said it issued 416 warnings to eateries, compared to 260 in January last year, indicating that restaurants are still having trouble meeting all the regulations.
More than 2,400 inspections were carried out.
It added that it temporarily closed five wholesalers and warehouses.
It did not disclose the names of the retailers or detail their violations.
More than two tonnes of meat were destroyed as a result of the inspections.
The food authority uses a three-tier system to punish violators, which starts with warnings, followed by fines and then temporary closures for repeat offenders.
A new law governing food safety at all levels of production is expected to be passed soon, and operators hope it will clarify the authority's regulations.
The authority's monthly report also highlights a disparity in regional food safety procedures.
More than 120 tonnes of imported food products were destroyed on the emirate's borders, compared to just over 20 tonnes in January of last year, for not meeting the Government's health and safety standards.
Most of these products were destroyed at the Ghoueifat crossing, on the Saudi border.
A further 59 tonnes were refused entry into the country.
"The stringent measures on the border crossings have a large impact on food security in Abu Dhabi," said Mr al Reyaysa.
These measures are part of newly introduced regulations that govern inspections on the border, which also classify the riskiness of imported food.
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
John Cena v Triple H
Matches to be announced
WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended
Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
Price: Dh260,500
Other workplace saving schemes
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- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
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- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
Zayed%20Centre%20for%20Research
%3Cp%3EThe%20Zayed%20Centre%20for%20Research%20is%20a%20partnership%20between%20Great%20Ormond%20Street%20Hospital%2C%20University%20College%20London%20and%20Great%20Ormond%20Street%20Hospital%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Charity%20and%20was%20made%20possible%20thanks%20to%20a%20generous%20%C2%A360%20million%20gift%20in%202014%20from%20Sheikha%20Fatima%20bint%20Mubarak%2C%20Chairwoman%20of%20the%20General%20Women's%20Union%2C%20President%20of%20the%20Supreme%20Council%20for%20Motherhood%20and%20Childhood%2C%20and%20Supreme%20Chairwoman%20of%20the%20Family%20Development%20Foundation.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded