SHARJAH // More than 40 tonnes of expired and insect-infested food has been thrown out after four major food control inspections in the emirate so far this year.
Officials even found foods that had been repackaged with new expiry dates on them.
The food control division at Sharjah Municipality’s public health department said a total of 42.3 tonnes of food produce had been binned.
The division’s Omar Al Muhairi said the municipality was striving to ensure the highest health and safety standards are met, and best practices for healthy eating are met by food company workers when processing, packaging and distributing food, ensuring they are not expired or infested.
He added that the municipality regularly inspects restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, grocery shops, and kitchens and other companies in the food business to ensure they comply with health requirements.
The municipality took statutory measures against violators. Seized foods included spices, sugar, rice and pickles, that had been repackaged with new expiry dates and different weights. Other seized foods were found to be infested, including rice, pasta, chicken, cheese and soft drinks.
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