UAQ shop shut for using abusive words on sweet packets

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Umm Al Quwain has ordered to shut down a confectionery shop in the emirate for selling sweets packed in wrappers carrying offensive words on them.

Juma Salem Al Mansouri, Head of the Consumer Protection Section at the department, told Khaleej Times, said: "The owner of the confectionery outlet was found selling sweets that were packed in wrappers with national day logos on them along with some inappropriate and defaming words for the UAE on them."

The sweets were seized during the surprise raids being conducted across the emirate.

Al Mansouri added that more inspectors will be deployed across the emirate to ensure compliance with set rules for the national day celebrations.

A hefty fine (unidentified) has been slapped against the erring shopkeeper, he added. "He was also summoned to the DED for further interrogations."

Official figures show that the department has shut down 90 shops and issued warning letters to 281 commercial institutions across the emirate in the first six months of the year for being involved in a variety of violations.

"Most of the violations spotted were regarding unhygienic storing conditions, no health cards for staff, employing workers under the sponsorship of other employers, selling expired products and items of unknown sources, manipulation of validity dates, and, prescribing and selling smuggled medicines."

The department shall not tolerate any violation that poses a risk to consumers' health, he warned. "Temporary and permanent closure, and hefty fines shall be imposed on erring shopkeepers."

He urged the public to report any violation to the department.

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