ABU DHABI // Residents of the capital should have much safer food once sweeping legislation governing food safety is passed later this year.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) invited food industry leaders to a session today in which they were allowed to raise any points of opposition to draft regulation that would see them face tightened hygiene standards and higher costs.
The event was a rare opportunity for the public to influence lawmaking directly in the UAE, and for the food industry to highlight its grievances with the law.
Officials at the ADFCA ceded the ground often to industry professionals, appending the draft law with recommendations from the private sector ahead of studying them and possibly amending the law as it stands.
Their complaints included what they felt were unnecessary medical checks for staff, huge rises in costs, lack of clarity, clashes with federal legislation and excessive penalties.
The Government said it saw food hygiene as critical for the emirate's security.
Mariam al Yousuf, the executive director of the policy and regulations sector at the ADFCA, said the aim of the new law was "to continue to create a confident, secure society and build a sustainable, open and globally competitive economy," that would also "elevate the quality of life" while balancing consumer protection and the encouragement of trade.
kshaheen@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Normcore explained
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.
UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Lecce v SPAL (6pm)
Bologna v Genoa (9pm)
Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)
Juventus v Brescia (6pm)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)
Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5