Unlicensed vendors' rotten food poison Sharjah workers

A number of poisoning cases have been reported from labourers and low-income people at the Sharjah Municipality and hospitals after having consumed expired or nearly-expired meat, chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables. Such foods are found to be sold by unlicensed mobile vendors in Friday markets in the emirate's industrial areas.

The mobile vendors allegedly cook food using expired products. These vendors also stand accused of collecting expired and almost expired foodstuff from supermarkets and other food outlets for free or for very little money, and re-selling them to people living in and around labour accommodations in industrial areas.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mohammed Al Kaabi, Head of the Inspection Section of Sharjah Municipality, said his section has received a large number of complaints from people about the food vendors who come out on Fridays. In response, the municipality carried out several inspections targeting these vendors and their products. The municipality was also notified of a number of food poisoning cases among workers who were duped by these unscrupulous vendors.

Al Kaabi added that some food outlets get rid of their expired food by giving it to the mobile vendors, who cook it and sell as meals along with rice. The public health department inspectors have also found local restaurants selling food made of expired products.

In 2015, a total of 120 tonnes of expired meat, fish, chicken, fruits and vegetables found unfit for human consumption were confiscated by the municipality. So far in 2016, the municipality has confiscated and destroyed six tonnes of expired food items.

Working in coordination with the Sharjah Police and other departments, 360 mobile vendors were detained in 2015. Some of them were also found to be residing in the UAE illegally.

The municipality has also intensified its inspections during the weekends to curb the practice and safeguard the health of local workers.

In addition, it was found that in many cases the food was not stored in the required temperature.

"They must realise that meat requires high cooling and may develop poisonous bacteria if cooling is inadequate. This can lead to food poisoning. Fish should be placed in separate compartments and not be mixed with other commodities, as it is very sensitive to contamination," Al Kaabi noted.

He urged residents of industrial areas to call 993 to report any such illegal practice.