Fifty-nine food outlets closed for bad hygiene

Food inspectors in Dubai temporarily shut down 59 "food establishments" such as restaurants and cafes in the first three months of the year, the municipality said yesterday. Many of the breaches involved spoiled or expired food, insects and rodents found in storage areas and food stored at the wrong temperature. The municipality received 1,224 complaints about food hygiene from consumers in the first quarter, Ahmed al Ali, the head of food inspections at Dubai Municipality, said. No comparative figures were released.

The figures were released as the hot weather takes hold, amid concern that high temperatures may increase the risks of food poisoning. Food safety chiefs, including those in Abu Dhabi, have called for increased vigilance among residents and are planning campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of poor food storage and transportation. kshaheen@thenational.ae