UAE food company Kibsons suspends operations after warehouse accident causes 'significant damage'

A forklift truck crashed into a cooling pipe, leading the site to be evacuated

Staff carry out a deep clean of the Kibsons warehouse in Dubai after a chemical spill in July. The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

The firm resumes full operations from Sunday. Courtesy: Kibsons

Staff select food for delivery at Kibsons supply warehouse in Dubai's International City, which had to close after a coolant leak.

The food delivery business has become one of the UAE's best known food brands and seen a boom in trade during the pandemic.

Many customers have chosen the delivery service over shopping in supermarkets.

Staff separate plastics and other recyclables at their warehouse. Ruel Pableo for The National

Staff separate plastics and other recyclables at their warehouse. Ruel Pableo for The National

Director Halima Jumani gives a demonstration during a tour of the premises in February. Ruel Pableo for The National

Latest: Kibsons to resume operations next week after stock wiped out in accident

A warehouse belonging to a fresh food delivery company was evacuated and operations were suspended after a forklift truck crashed into a cooling pipe on Sunday.

Tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables inside the Kibsons warehouse near International City in Dubai were damaged after the entire stock was exposed to an airborne cooling agent.

But no one was injured in the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning as the company began operations for the working week.

“This incident has caused significant damage to Kibsons warehouse and all stock, resulting in the suspension of home delivery service for the rest of the week until they are able to procure fresh stock,” the company said.

“Kibsons remains committed to providing the freshest quality and the highest standard for food and safety, as well as ensuring the overall safety and well-being of all employees.

“The team is working diligently to assess the extent of the damage to enable them to recover from this unfortunate situation at the very earliest.

“All customers have been updated by email and client orders have been refunded.”

A company spokeswoman told The National all warehouse staff safely left the area and were told not to return to the site until health and safety checks were completed.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Kibsons has been operating since 1980, delivering fresh, organic fruit and vegetables as well as other ready-to-eat items including bread, eggs and dairy produce across the UAE.