'Shawarma shops' shut down in Dubai

Dubai authorities have closed down 141 Shawarma outlets in Dubai after they failed to keep the required hygiene standards.

That makes 25 per cent of shawarma shops in Dubai, according to a senior official at the municipality.

According to Khaleej Times, Sultan Ali Al Tahir, Head of Food Inspection Section in the Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality, said out of the 573 shawarma outlets in Dubai, 425 were found to be compliant with their hygiene rules, while seven were in the process of applying for the requirements.

The municipality had imposed 29 new conditions for the preparation and sale of shawarma in food establishments, giving them six months to improve their conditions, according to the new requirements.

Al Tahir pointed out that the new requirements were imposed after it was observed that some restaurants prepare shawarma in unhealthy conditions and places, in spite of the fact that the shawarma depends on different types of food ingredients, including meat, poultry, vegetables and types of sauces for preparation, all of which require special conditions for storage.

The main problems discovered in shops included, improper storage of shawarma ingredients; leaving food out under high temperatures, especially as summer is approaching; not providing adequate space for separate placement of the various ingredients such as meat, chicken and vegetables that can lead to cross-contamination.

Food hygiene authorities said that sellers must step up their game with summer coming.

All food outlets should meet the requirements as specified by the Food Safety Department, he said.