Crack down on illegal pesticide outlets in Dubai

By PMA RASHEED 

23 Nov 2010, The Gulf Today

About 110 litres of prohibited pesticides have been seized in Dubai, in addition to heavy fines being imposed on 119 erring pesticide warehouses and agricultural establishments for non-compliance with civil specifications.

Several vehicles were also booked for selling date palm plants without permission from the authorities, according to Dubai Municipality (DM), which carried out a massive inspection campaign jointly with the Department of Economic Development (DED).
Officers at DM's public parks and horticulture department have confiscated the unlicensed pesticides and destroyed them at the disposal site for hazardous waste at Jebel Ali.
A fine of Dhs6,000 has been issued to owners of the establishments for running warehouses without a valid permit from the municipality, said a DM spokesperson.
"The 'illegal' warehouses, with low-quality pesticides and imitation fertilizers were refilled in plastic containers, and were mainly found in Karama area as the inspection covered a total of 642 such establishments including flower stalls, nurseries, fertilizer plants and horticultural pesticide traders," he added.
According to him, the warehouses in Karama area were caught for filling agricultural pesticides and liquid fertilizers from the original containers to other plastic containers of different sizes.
"Ten pesticides (Vindona) in one litre containers; 71 insecticides (Mouseblan) in packets of 100 gms; 93 refilled pesticide containers with no labels to indicate capacity of the packages; an eight litre of target cockroach gel; and three rolls, each one with 620 empty plastic containers with a total of 1,860 containers were included in the seizure," elaborated a DM statement.
It added, "The unlicensed street vendors were found random-selling date palm plants, taken from unknown sources, in residential areas such as Oud Al Muteena, Al Khawaneej, Al Mizhar, Al Aweer, Al Hibab, Al Warqa and Al Barsha. About 76 palm trees were offered for the illegal sale."
"Nine vehicles, used for sale of the date palm plants in these areas, were also seized by the inspectors. The owners were warned for unlicensed horticultural activities in addition to fines imposed by the DED."
The offenders were trapped in a drive to prevent the spread of horticultural pests in the emirate, while stopping practices of bogus establishments in offering pest protection to consumers.
The Municipality has urged the public not to deal with illegal pesticide traders, in view of the hazardous impact of inferior types of palms that help spread of agricultural pests, especially red palm weevils.
"The farmers should only rely on palm pants traded by specialised and licensed companies," said municipality.

(Photo used for illustrative purpose only)

Mobile slaughterhouse to ease Eid special services in Dubai

By PMA RASHEED 

12 Nov 2010, The Gulf Today

Aimed at easing the heavy turn out of customers to sacrifice animals on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, the Dubai Municipality (DM) has launched a mobile abattoir which offers slaughter services at selected areas of the emirate.

The touring facility to slaughter animals in compliance with Sharia requirements, will provide butchery outlets with services of highest hygienic and safety standards during the Eid period. It has currently been stationed near the park in Al Quoz-1.

Hussein Nasser Lootah, director general of the DM, said that the facility has been developed to carry out sacrifice services mainly to the people residing in Al Barsha, Zabeel, Umm Sequim and Jumeirah areas meeting the rush for the service.

“The mobile abattoir will ease the high pressure on slaughterhouses of other areas during the Eid days. However, the mobile facility will provide services only to small sacrificial animals- sheep or goats,” he added.

“The mobile abattoir is equipped with modern devices and sufficient space operated by butchers, assistants, cleaners, equipment maintenance workers and supervisors.”

According to Lootah, the facility also will provide testing services for the sacrificial animals. The municipality has streamlined all other abattoirs in the emirate provided the required manpower ready for action.

“The civic inspectors will also carry out inspection procedures at the slaughterhouses before Eid to ensure hygienic requirements, and completion of maintenance works of all devices and equipment,” he said.

“Preparations have been completed deploying more administrators, supervisors, veterinary doctors and workers at all the existing abattoirs to accommodate maximum number of animals of all kinds, with separate slots for small, medium-sized and large animals,” said a DM spokesperson.

“The customers can receive the best possible conduct of work done with sanitised knives, cleaning materials and disinfectants at all branches of the abattoirs in Al Qusais, Bur Dubai and Hatta. The other abattoirs will be ready for the slaughter of any quantity of animals of all kinds in record time without delay,” he elaborated.

“The slaughtering services will start from 7.30am until 5pm throughout the four days of Eid. The abattoir tariff depends on the type and size of the animals. However, it levies a nominal fee for slaughtering the sacrificial animals of individuals,” said the DM official.

“The rates to slaughter medium-sized animals will be Dhs40. It’s Dhs15 for goats, Dhs30 for calves, Dhs45 for a big cow, and Dhs60 for a small camel. But Dhs65 will be charged from individuals for charity organisations,” he added.

The civic body also urged the public to avoid slaughtering outside abattoirs, and to not rely on wanderers or street butchers to safeguard public health safety.

(Pix for illustrative purpose only)

Dubai warns against unlicensed pest control operators

By PMA RASHEED 

10 Nov 2010, The Gulf Today

THE civic body in Dubai warned members of the public on Tuesday against falling prey to bogus advertising by unlicensed pest control establishments.

This is in view of numerous complaints about the rampant increase in publicity material distributed by such pest control companies who are not ratified by the Dubai Municipality (DM).

A senior civic official has cautioned that while such illegal pest management companies offer solutions to get houses rid off insects, rodents, termites and other pests, they actually expose residents to high risk by using highly toxic pesticides or ones that are not licensed locally.

Hisham Abdul Rahman Al Yahya, head of public health in the Pest Control Section of the DM’s Public Health Services Department, alerted that such advertisements are deceptive.

“Such companies sticking their ads on the doors of flats and in corridors of residential buildings or inserting leaflets through the gaps of doors are a nuisance to those living in residential complexes,” he added.

Al Yahya called upon the public to verify whether such companies are licensed with the Municipality to operate in the Emirate.

“Information on licensed establishments is available on www.health.dm.ae, the web portal of the DM’s public health services department. Residents can also ring up toll-free on 800-900 or to the public health pest control section on 04-3474448,” he elaborated.

“The DM will send a list of licensed companies or will provide the caller with the information required on any company whose services the caller wishes to avail of,” he said.

“The DM’s public health pest control section issues a special card to the workers of licensed pest management firms to enable them to practise the profession legally,” Al Yahya pointed out.

He advised the public to demand the pest control firm’s representatives to produce the Municipality card before allowing them entry into their homes to render the service, “failing which, residents can complain to the department, and stringent action will be taken against the violators.”

He also urged the public to report cases of suspicious advertisements by pest control teams. “Also, the pest management companies should ensure the health safety of their staff members,” he added.

Municipality requires safety warnings on toy packages

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 5 Oct 2010

LOCAL manufacturers and establishments selling toys and similar game products should ensure warning messages have been placed on the products about the age restrictions of using them, said Dubai Municipality (DM).

The restriction messages should be written in both Arabic and English languages, according to a senior DM official.

Redha Salman, director of the Public Health and Safety Department at DM, said that the age group for each toy should be mentioned prominently on such products, whether they are manufactured locally or imported from foreign countries.

He called on parents, educators, teachers and vendors to ensure that the toys are selected after considering whether they are appropriate for their child's age. "When it comes to purchasing toys for babies, parents should ascertain the reliability and safety of the game products in order to protect children from fatal hazards or long-lasting damage," warned Salman.

"Small parts of some toys expose children below three years to the risks of suffocation, if the toy contained parts that can be removed easily by hand," he said.

"Many toys can be split into small pieces and be easily swallowed by babies, who may also munch or try to eat parts like eyes, which can be separated from many dolls available in the local market," he said.

"Even though toys have a significant role in the growth of children's mental and physical abilities, it is known that the children of lower age have the habit of putting things in their mouths," he remarked.

"Children under the age of 10 get some toys from groceries with manufactured cheap and hazardous plastic parts that are often misused, and may lead to lasting injuries to the kids," pointed out Salman.

He elaborated, "Usage of high concentrations of heavy metals and chemicals in the manufacture of some of the toys affects the health and safety of children negatively, such as a negative impact on the heart, bones, digestive system and nervous system."

"These symptoms will be visible through the children's abnormal behavior and learning difficulties," he added.

"Knitted and stuffed toys look beautiful and attractive to children externally, but [can pose] health risks for them if there is a hole in the stitching or in case the sewing is weak."

"It allows the emergence of the internal filling material and it becomes easy to access them, which may cause a risk of suffocation as a result of inhalation or swallowing of the material," said Salman.

According to him, the parents and children's supervisors are responsible to choose appropriate toys for their kids to keep them safe from the risks involved with hazardous or terrible toys.

Introducing a number of hazardous materials that may enter in the manufacture of toys, the DM on Sunday has launched a health safety drive titled "My Safety in My Toy."

The campaign, which started at Children's City on Sunday, will run until Oct 12, educating the public on the precautions to be taken while purchasing toys for their children.

According to Salman, the civic body monitors all sorts of toys that enter the market of the emirate.

"The DM implements strict control over the toys that are showcased in the local markets. All the imported items related to children in the context of consumer protection undergo intense inspection procedures by the civic officials, in addition to laboratory tests carried out at the toys lab of the Dubai central laboratory," he noted.

(Pic by Nisham A. Manaf)

More pesticides come under ministry scanner

By PMA RASHEED

20 Sept 2010, The Gulf Today

THE federal environment watchdog has further increased the number of pesticides from 190 to 220, for which analysis is now mandated.

The move has come about to ensure quality of fresh farm produce across the country and to protect residents from various health hazards associated with the use of lethal chemical contaminants.

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has plans to further raise the number to 400 pesticides during the coming period, according to sources.

A couple of weeks ago, the ministry had tightened its pesticide monitoring system by implementing stringent measures and doubling the number of pesticide products to be lab-tested, from 92 to 190 samples.

The ministry further raised the average number of the pesticide samples to be monitored, before being used on farms across the country, as part of its strategic plans to ensure the highest degree of food safety in the UAE, according to a senior MoEW official.

Dr Mariam Al Shinasi, executive director for technical affairs at the MoEW, said that a team of experts from the ministry is currently working on testing the pesticide residues on fresh vegetable and fruits produce.

“The team carries out the assessment programmes to analyse such chemicals by implementing global guidelines in this regard,” she added.

“The ministry’s regular analysis procedures have reported pesticide residues in many food products. The results prompted the authority to increase the number of pesticides to be analysed in laboratories,” she pointed out.

According to Dr Al Shinasi, the MoEW is currently working on implementing a national system to achieve integrated pesticide management and control of their circulation and use.

“The national scheme will be launched in accordance with the strategy for tighter control of pesticides use in fresh food items produced and supplied in the country. Further legislations and regulations are in the pipeline, intended to control pesticide use. These would stipulate strict conditions and criteria for registration, circulation and spraying of the pesticides,” she noted.

“The application of the regulations by trading or farming establishments will be ensured by supervision of the ministry, in tandem with local authorities concerned. The MoEW laboratories have been equipped with fully-integrated mechanisms to analyse the vegetables and fruits imported into the country as well as those produced locally,” elaborated Dr Al Shinasi.

“The Authority has been imposing several measures for the public health safety, bio-security and protection of the environment. Each consignment of vegetables and fruits have to undergo the MoEW monitoring procedures and obtain clearance certifications to state that they are free from harmful chemical residues, before reaching the market,” she said.

“The ministry prevents entry of any type of vegetables and fruits in the event they have been detected to be using dangerous pesticides which exceed globally permissible limits. In addition, such consignments with contaminated foods will be confiscated and destroyed in cooperation with the municipalities,” added the MoEW official.

Ministry tightens pesticide monitoring system

By PMA RASHEED 

The Gulf Today, 11 Sept 2010 

Further enforcing the measures for public safety and environmental protection, the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) has decided to strictly monitor the use of pesticides in the country.

The ministry has increased the number of pesticides to be analysed and lab-tested from 92 products to 190, by increasing the number of tests on different varieties of the pesticides used on vegetables and fruits, according to an MOEW spokesperson.

“The MOEW encourages farmers to engage in organic farming rather than the use of chemicals to keep the growth of pests from decaying vegetables and fruits.

Hydroponics, cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution rather than in the soil, is also encouraged by the ministry,” he added.

“The MOEW focuses on ensuring the quality of fresh farm produce, as well as streamline the flow of imported fruits and vegetables produce to ensure their safety for human consumption,” elaborated the MOEW official.

According to Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, the Minister of Environment and Water, the move comes as the agricultural imports have been overwhelmingly increased through the UAE ports.

“The plans had been discussed with the representatives of the country’s wholesale fruits and vegetables traders to clarify the programmes and initiatives undertaken by the ministry,” he added.

“They were educated on the tightening of the control over the use of pesticides spraying on fresh importing produce, their role on safeguarding the health of the consumers and ensure the quality of the fruits and vegetables,” elaborated the minister.

“The ministry wanted to raise the rate of bio-security in the country, and protect the residents from various deadly diseases,” said Dr Fahd.

He urged the traders to comply with the new regulations on the import permits for pesticides, their samples should be strictly analysed by the inspectors.

Large quantities of prohibited pesticides had been confiscated from the Madam agricultural district of Sharjah, by the MOEW inspectors recently, during a surprise inspection visit to establishments in the business of agro products and food items.

Dr Mariam Al Shinasi, Acting Director General of the MOEW, said, “An integrated nation-wide system to control circulation and use of the pesticides in the country would update regulations and conditions and develop legislation for controlling such products with stringent criteria for their registration and circulation in the country.”

The MOEW had curbed curry leaf import from India last year as the ministry laboratory in Al Ain found high levels of harmful chemicals in sample leaves taken during routine inspections.

Dubai enforces hygiene conditions at building sites

By PMA RASHEED
The Gulf Today, 9 Sept 2010


The civic authorities in Dubai are stringently enforcing regulations on hygiene measures to be implemented at building construction and infrastructural project sites across the Emirate.

A circular has been issued by the buildings department of Dubai Municipality (DM) to all building consultancy offices, construction companies operating in the Emirate, to abide by the hygiene requirements of the civic body at their construction sites.

Khalid Mohammed Saleh, Director of Buildings Department at the DM, said that the decision to enforce the hygiene conditions at construction sites has been taken because of a concern over public health safety and the need to protect the surrounding environment.

"The streets, roads, pavements and squares should not be affected by the construction activities. Health of the workers as well as the public is a great concern," he added.

"The Municipality wanted to ensure provision of security requirements and safety of the workers and the residents living in such locations and surrounding areas," he noted.

According to Saleh, the move will also help preserve the beauty and cleanliness of the city by reducing all such practices that distort the overall view of the Emirate.

"The construction companies should regularly clean up their building projects or construction sites, storages of materials and the surrounding environment," he pointed out.

The DM circular also required the safe removal of remnants of all used material at such sites.

Close eye on shisha cafes; 600 inspected in Dubai

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 18 Aug 2010

Around 600 Shisha cafes across Dubai have been visited by the public health and safety officials of Dubai Municipality (DM) before the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The inspections were carried out as part of the civic body's strategies to check the validity of such establishments' licenses and to ensure that they comply with the civic regulations on public health safety and hygiene requirements, a senior DM official said.

Redha Salman, Director of Public Health and Safety at the DM, indicated that the hygiene conditions in Shisha cafes especially the preparation area, sufficiency of ventilation and air conditioning, health cards of workers, and their uniforms, were on the agenda of the inspection campaign.

"The cafes should be operated only on ground floors, except in hotels. No Shisha cafes will be permitted to operate in classified residential areas. The shops should be set up in a minimum area of 1,500 square feet." he pointed out.

"Shisha cafes should also be 25 metres away from the entrances of buildings. At least 200 metre distance should be maintained from mosques, schools and other educational institutions," elaborated Salman.

According to him, the shisha shops should be licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in addition to the permit from the public health department.

He said, "The cafe doors should be closed always, except for entry and exit of customers. Safety requirements including measures for prevention of inflammable materials like fire extinguishers should be installed at the shops. Emergency exit also should be provided to use in the events of causalities."

As per the regulations, the cafes should set up interior arrangements such as proper ventilation system that will help the public avoid exposure to passive smoking. Food serving and preparation areas should be also separated from the smoking area.

"The shop owners should also fix a message board at the entrance of the cafŽ, warning people under the age of 20 years not to use the facilities," noted Salman.

He urged owners of Shisha establishments to adhere to the rules and regulations in order to protect public health, thereby avoiding any legal proceedings to be initiated by the Municipality against the violators.

Two years ago, the DM had issued final orders to the owners of all Shisha centres operating in Dubai to relocate their premises to non-residential areas, promoting a smoke-free environment for the residents at restaurants and cafes.

Owners of coffee shops and restaurants were also subjected to stop the service of providing Shisha-smoking facility at their shops.

"The violating shisha outlets can be fined in the range of Dh5,000 to Dh40,000 as per the level of violations," said the Municipality.

(Photo used for illustrative purpose)

600-sheep shipment turned back

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 21 July 2010

A shipment of about 600 sheep has been rejected by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) due to the lack of a health certificate and documents specifying the exporting country.

With further steps being taken to enforce the federal regulatory procedure of medical tests on imported livestock and other animals, the MOEW has tightened control over the trading or import of such animals to the country, according to a senior ministry official.

Dr Mariam Hassan Al Shinasi, acting director general of the MOEW, said that more than 200 communicable diseases have been found to have transferred through animals which are not medically tested. 70 per cent of them may spread to human beings, she added.
“The diseases can spread from live animals, consumption of their meat products and animals waste. The ministry’s strategy is to ensure higher rates of bio-security in the country as well as strengthening food security to the residents,” she explained.

“The veterinary inspection procedures at various ports of the country closely monitor the imports to see whether they are free from infectious diseases and to strengthen the protection of existing livestock or domestic animals,” noted Al Shinasi. She pointed out that the ministry will continue its efforts to achieve optimum food security in the country by introducing more local livestock production houses in the country.

“About 2,490,147 sheep and goats have arrived at various ports of the UAE in 2009 for the purpose of slaughtering or meat production. The MOEW rejected entry to about 9,898 animals of different species, and culled the infected livestock. About 2,032 animals were confiscated and 11,105 were sent back due to irregularities in import during the past year,” she elaborated.

“The MOEW regulations prevent trafficking of live animals and their products, by implementing international conditions in this regard specified by bodies such as OIE, FAO and WHO,” added Al Shinasi.

According to her, the animals have to be examined for various infectious diseases such as foot and mouth ailments, lung infections, blood poisoning, intestinal diseases and other contagious infections with purulent skin eruptions.

“Tuberculosis, brucellosis and zoonosis are the major diseases transmitted to human beings from infected animals. The fatal diseases enter into the human body by ingestion of meat and non-sterilised milk of the infected animals or by close contact with secretions of the animals,” said the MOEW in an earlier statement.

Al Shinasi said that the importer will have to bear costs of returning the consignment, if they have not complied with the federal veterinary quarantine law.

“The ministry also urged all importers of animals to strictly abide by the law or face stringent penal actions. The importers should also produce veterinary health certificates to ensure they are free from communicable diseases. Documents as per the international regulations on transporting of the animals are also must,” she added.

Euthanasia for 200 infected sheep

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 20 July 2010

About 200 sheep imported to the UAE and found infected with contagious diseases will be euthanised by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW).

Medical examination conducted on a consignment of sheep that arrived in a UAE port for meat production purposes has proved that the livestock was infected with serious diseases that might spread to the existing animals of the country, according to sources at the MOEW.

A ministry spokesperson said that the animals were confiscated by the inspectors after receiving necessary quarantine clearance. Punitive measures have been taking against the dealer for violating the regulations that specify conditions to import livestock animals to the country.

“The violations come under the ministerial resolution No. 548/2008 and the Federal Law No.6/1979 on the procedures of veterinary quarantine, as well as the law No.16/ 2007 on animal welfare that specifies the condition for transfer of animals,” he ded.

For the past couple of months, the environment ministry has been confiscating thousands of infected animals and birds imported through different ports of the UAE seriously violating conditions pertaining to public health safety and import of cattle.

The MOEW had rejected last month import of about 540 infected livestock and birds through major ports of the country.

As many as 810 imported sheep were culled last week, for having contagious diseases like plague of small ruminants, dengue fever, foot-and-mouth disease and Brucella.

Abdulla Salem Janan, Director of Veterinary Quarantine Department at the MOEW, said the sheep shipment with the infectious bacterial disease was inspected by veterinary specialists at the ministry. The operation was aimed at preventing spread of the disease among the country's existing livestock.

"All necessary steps had been taken by the MOEW, in coordination with other authorities concerned, to destroy the shipment of infected animals which violated quarantine procedures and other regulations related to animal welfare and transportation,” he added.

The ministry has urged all importers of animals to strictly abide by the law or face stringent penal actions. The importers should also produce veterinary health certificates to ensure they are free from communicable diseases. Documents as per the international regulations on transporting of the animals are also must.

Janan pointed out that the MOEW wanted to ensure highest safety for the health of human and domestic animals of the country, with protection from abortion-causing bacteria, which often transmits to human beings by contact with infected animals or infected meat or milk products.

“The strategic objective of the MOEW is to strengthen the country's food safety with highest global standards by increasing levels of bio-security measures like preventing transmission of epidemic diseases through implementation of tighter control over imported animals and birds,” he elaborated.

The ministry also issued an animal protection welfare guide to protect animals and birds from developing ailments and diseases, which would help protect the quality of our food.

The guide aims at boosting levels of biological safety, focusing on highest care for the animals in the country.

810 infected sheep to be culled

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 13 July 2010

The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) will cull as many as 810 imported sheep that were found to be infected with contagious diseases.

The animals, imported through the ports of the country for meat production purpose, were seized for serious violations of the regulations pertaining to public health safety and import of cattle, according to a senior MOEW official.

Abdulla Salem Janan, Director of Veterinary Quarantine Department at the MOEW, said that laboratory tests conducted on the animals by the ministry have proved that they were infected with plague of small ruminants, dengue fever, foot-and-mouth disease and Brucella.

"The sheep shipment with the infectious bacterial disease was inspected by veterinary specialists at the ministry. The operation was aimed at preventing spread of the disease among the country's existing livestock,” he added.

"All necessary steps have been taken by the MOEW, in coordination with other authorities concerned, to destroy the shipment of infected animals which violates quarantine procedures and other regulations related to animal welfare and transportation,” pointed out Janan.

“The violations come under the ministerial resolution No. 548/2008 and the Federal Law No.6/1979 on the procedures of veterinary quarantine, as well as the law No.16/ 2007 on animal welfare that specifies the condition for transfer of animals,” he said.

“The MOEW wanted to ensure highest safety for the health of human and domestic animals of the country, with protection from abortion-causing bacteria, which often transmits to human beings by contact with infected animals or infected meat or milk products,” he elaborated.

According to Janan, the ministry's strategic objective is to strengthen the country's food safety with highest global standards by increasing levels of bio-security measures like preventing transmission of epidemic diseases through implementation of tighter control over imported animals and birds.

He noted, “The ministry wanted to raise vital safety measures for preventing the community from various biological risks and epidemic diseases. The MOEW usually updates with the global veterinary and health organisations like the World Organisation for Animal Health about the current pandemic situation of the world and adopt necessary measures to prevent outbreak of such diseases.”

The environment ministry also has urged all the traders in the field of cattle business to visit the MOEW office to gain better knowledge on the conditions required for importing livestock and regulations for transporting them.

Errant vet clinics face ministry’s heat

BY PMA RASHEED 

The Gulf Today, 14 July 2010 

The Federal Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has imposed punitive actions against several veterinary clinics in different parts of the country for violating regulations on public health and technical standards.

The MoEW inspectors have conducted several periodic and surprise visits to a number of veterinary facilities operating in the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The large quantities of expired drugs stored for sale at some veterinary warehouses have also been seized and confiscated by the inspectors, revealed the environment ministry sources.

“The ministry has issued necessary penal actions against the offenders. Some of them faced temporary closure of the facilities and others faced permanent closure of their service,” said the ministry.

“The penalties for violations included a warning, suspension from practice for a period not exceeding one year, and withdrawal of the licence and removal of the violators’ names from the list of registered veterinarians and technical experts and vet facilities,” read a statement issued by the MoEW.

“Some law-breakers were warned and some facilities faced closure of the veterinary facility for two months. If they repeat the violation, their licence will be shut down and licences will be withdrawn. Serious irregularities will invite actions including hefty fines or imprisonment,” it added.

According to the statement, the offending clinics were providing services contrary to the clauses specified in their licences. Many of them were found breaching the federal requirements on safeguarding public health measures, it added.

“Some vet facilities and clinics lacked professional conduct as they employed unlicensed veterinarians and non-specialists to work in their laboratories,” it pointed out.

According to an official at the environment ministry, those who practice veterinary medicine in clinics, pharmacies and laboratories, and warehouses must obtain a licence from the MoEW. The Ministerial Decrees 618 and 616 for the year 2009 have specified the country’s veterinary laws, regulations and conditions for establishing such facilities as well as practicing the service.

“The ministry will spare no effort in implementing the legislation to effectively safeguard the development and sustainability of livestock in the country,” he said.

The ministry has also called upon the veterinarians and technical employees of vet facilities to ensure their commitment to Law No.10/2002 and the law No.16/ 2007 on private vet medicine practice.

“The number of veterinary clinics registered with the environment ministry from across the country has been estimated at 92 facilities that carry out therapeutic and diagnostic services to animals,” said the MoEW statement.

“Hundreds of veterinary pharmacies, drug warehouses and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies also have registered with the MoEW,” it added.

Massive amounts of rotten food confiscated in Dubai

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 7 July 2010

About 245 tonnes of unfit and contaminated food items have been dumped out of the Dubai market, as the civic body intensified its inspections to prevent food poisoning outbreaks during the summer.

On the advent of the summer season, an extensive foodstuff inspection drive was launched last week by Dubai Municipality (DM) aimed at rigorous monitoring of the foodstuff markets in the emirate.

The Municipality inspection team monitored several irregularities such as non-compliance with the hygiene rules, workers not keeping themselves clean and having expired health cards.

Some defective food items were immediately confiscated and destroyed. Poor storage and display of some of the food items in the hot sun at this time of the year as well as some wrong practices of the workers were also detected, according to according to an official at Dubai Municipality (DM).

Sultan Ali Tahir, Head of Products Monitoring Section at the DM, said that two tonnes of rotten fish offered for sale at the stalls in fish markets were found unsafe, during a series of surprise inspection sessions carried out last month. The contaminated fish was immediately destroyed.

“Massive amounts of damaged vegetables and fruits have been confiscated, during the inspections conducted at 554 fresh and other foodstuff selling establishments across the emirate,” he added.

“About 420 kilogrammes of the rotten fish was on sale. About 450 kilogramme of damaged vegetables and fruits items showcased for sale were also destroyed. Hefty fines were issued on the violators for exhibiting and selling such rotten items,” elaborated Tahir.

“About 245 kilogrammes of rotten vegetables and fruits have been confiscated during an inspection session conducted at 315 retail and wholesale establishments operating in the central vegetables and fruits market in Al Aweer. Some vegetables and fruits were found contaminated with pesticide,” he said.

Taher pointed out that a total of 214 offenses were found during the campaign, adding that the inspections will continue and will not stop until the entire foodstuff shops in the market are covered.

“The civic food inspectors are currently touring various food outlets, supermarkets, meat and fish shops in the emirate in order to ensure their compliance with the DM’s hygiene requirements as well as validity of foodstuff showcased for sale,” he noted.

According to him, the elevated temperature conditions in the region can easily cause contamination to the food items such as meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, which becoming unfit for human consumption.

“Stringent legal actions will be taken against the violators of the regulations implemented by the municipality. Round the clock monitoring process are going on to preserve health safety of the residents,” warned Tahir.

“Daily inspections will be carried out at the stalls in Deira, Shindagha and Karama fish markets. Sufficient quantities of ice should use on the fish stock to avoid damage,” he said.

He pointed out that display of fish stock outside the shops in the Karama market has been prohibited. The vendors also were asked to replace old cork boxes by new plastic ones.

“The inspectors also monitor cleanliness of dried fish stalls and packaging processes, to prevent access and the proliferation of insects. Proper maintenance works of such shops, like replacement of old equipment, shelf and platforms are also focused,” pointed out Ali Tahir.

“Workers’ health cards are also checked by the inspectors, who follow up meat products displayed at stalls as well as their storage areas to ensure adherence to safety and hygiene rules," he elaborated.

Kimaball baked beans recalled from Dubai market

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 6 July 2010

Dubai Municipality (DM) gave a week’s deadline to the distributor of Kimball baked beans to generate information from the product’s Malaysian manufacturer, after a consumer spotted a lizard in a beans can last week.

A team from the civic body’s food inspection section is currently carrying out detailed inspections on the contaminated batch of the Kimbal beans, a brand of Campbell’s foodstuff manufacturers in Malaysia.

A senior official of the DM told The Gulf Today that the food inspection section of the Municipality received a complaint on spotting the lizard in the beans can on 29^th of the last month.

Following the report of the foreign material found in one can of Kimball baked beans, an official of the distributor of the brand told The Gulf Today that the manufacturer has assured the Dubai Municipality on maintaining world-class public health safety standards in their production processes.

Ahmad Al Ali, Food Inspection Section Head at the DM, said, “We have contacted the regional supplier of Campbell foods to provide explanation on how the lizard ended up in the can. We have ordered recall of the batch of Kimball baked beans bearing the production date 13 Jan 2010 and expiry date 13 July 2011 in the GCC.

“We also have requested the supplier to provide evidences on the health management system of the Kimball factory in Malaysia, as well as evidence of the corrective actions taken to ensure that this kind of contamination will not be repeated,” he elaborated.

Al Ali added that this kind of contamination is considered as physical contamination which can be identified by naked eyes. Luckily the consumer had not eaten the piece of lizard.

Wickus Saunders, COO of Choithram Group, distributor of the brand in the region, said, “We have requested an examination of the foreign material to facilitate the completion of a full and thorough investigation. We have initiated a process to remove all the remaining cans of the same batch from the shelves.”

“We apologise for any distress this experience may have caused, also confirm that no other complaints of a similar nature have been received. Those who come across this batch are requested to ring up on 04-3474574,” he added.

“Meanwhile, the batch of beans cans have been imported to the UAE through the proper procedures and legal channels. Samples of all imported food stuff will undergo examinations before releasing the shipment. But, each tin has to be opened to detect this particular type of issue,” noted Al Ali.

Al Ali urged the public to notify the Municipality call centre on 800-900, if they found the same product which produced in January 2010.

According to earlier reports, the contaminated Kimball baked beans tin was sold to a customer named Sandeep Sequeira at a grocery store in Bur Dubai.

Half part of the lizard was spotted right on top of the can when he opened the can for preparing food.

The bottom half of the lizard might be in any tin of the same batch of the baked beans distributed anywhere in the world.

Dubai to enforce labourer safety rules during summer

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 15 June 2010

Municipal officials will visit various construction sites, industrial workplaces and other public areas across the emirate of Dubai in order to enforce occupational safety regulations and tackle hazards of elevated temperature conditions during the summer.

This was announced on Monday as Dubai Municipality (DM) launched its annual safe and healthy summer campaign to prevent heat stress cases among all segments of the society.

Redha Hassan Salman, Director of Public Health and Safety Department at the DM, said, “Apart from the construction sites, 18 public places like jogging tracks, shopping centres, parks, metro stations, beaches and mass gathering areas of the emirate will also be covered in the campaign that runs until July 31.

“Both the private and government sectors will be addressed on the health safety of their employees through implementation of perfect occupational and health safety practices at work places in the summer. The labourers and their supervisors will be educated on the means of safety and first-aid and the importance of constant intake of water and means of prevention of heat stress," he added.

“Meanwhile, the beach-goers or visitors to open spaces will be given awareness lessons on the heat stress, its symptoms, prevention methods and first-aid. Awareness materials such as leaflets, urine charts, posters, water and sachets of instant hydration drinks also will be distributed among workers,” elaborated said Salman.

Raed Mohammed Al Marzouki, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Section at the DM, said the focus is to ensure implementation of international, federal and civic regulations on the safety of workers at construction sites, industrial units and other outdoor working places, where heat hazards could be dangerous.

“Supervisors at worksites should be equipped with knowledge on the methods of maintaining the health of their workers during the working hours in the summer. The site supervisors or companies are not allowed to insist on a labourer suffering from heat hazards to finish his work,” he added

The labourer should be given ample rest, in addition to provision of proper safety measures or medications if needed. If any labourer feels tired or exhausted due to the heat, the site supervisor should take him out of the place to provide sufficient rest and medical aid,” pointed out Al Marzouki.

Dr Mohammed Motawally, Occupational Health Specialist at the Municipality Clinic, said, “High temperature with humidity leads to excessive sweating in an attempt to cool the body resulting in rapid dehydration that, if not controlled, can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.”

“Workers should have knowledge on the symptoms of various heat-related illnesses, precautionary measures to avoid the heat stress as well as emergency procedures to help co-workers in such events,” he added.

Plane crash victims’ kin get jobs

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 28 May 2010

An Abu Dhabi-based healthcare service provider has extended a helping hand to the bereaved relatives of the ill-fated passengers of the recent air crash that occurred at the Bajpe International Airport in South India’s Mangalore city.

About 50 relatives of the victims will be employed at Lifeline Hospital, headquartered in the capital Emirate of the UAE, as the hospital expands its operations with a couple of projects, including new hospitals and other healthcare facilities, announced the hospital authorities.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai on Thursday, Dr Charles Stanford, the senior director of Lifeline Hospital, said that the purpose of recruiting the relatives of the passed away passengers in the plane disaster is to support the families that lost their sole bread-winners.

“Hopefully, the initiative will identify the tragedy-affected families plunged into substantial financial loss. We intend to sufficiently enable them to maintain a better standard of living in their community,” he added.

The hospital has also announced ten lakhs Indian Rupees for urgent assistance to the families of the victims.

“The first step of the initiative is to identify the individuals within such families who are willing and able to take up the offered employment opportunities. We will provide them professional training, if required,” explained Dr Stanford.

Dr Shajir Gaffar, the Corporate Relations Manager at Lifeline Hospital, said, “We have already requested the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi to coordinate with the authorities concerned in India to identify the requirements and the numbers of individuals suitable for the scheme.”

“The appointments in the preferred job nature will be based on the educational levels, professional qualifications and experience profiles. The candidates also should be willing to travel outside India,” he added.

“The hospital, with plans to expand its operations in the UAE, Oman and India, will identify potential positions suitable to the details provided. These positions will be within the broad range of the healthcare organisation’s opportunities where suitable. If the applicant is not suitable for healthcare positions, we will arrange them opportunities in other organisations,” explained Dr Gaffar.

“The positions are on permanent basis and offered at the similar payment scheme to those already employed. All the appointed employees will have the same contractual rights as others in the industry,” he pointed out.

According to him, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) initiative will inspire other corporate groups to support the air crash victims.

“Lifeline wishes to make a tangible, substantive and sustainable contribution to the well-being of those dependent members of the victim’s families,” noted Dr Gaffar.

Dubai targets women smokers

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 27 May 2010

THE emirate of Dubai targets women smokers, as their number has increased at 14 per cent of the total smokers in the UAE.

This was announced by Dubai Municipality (DM) on Wednesday when it launched a fresh campaign titled "Tobacco-free Women," at Mall of the Emirates in line with the world no-tobacco day that falls on May 31.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen the theme of this year as "Gender and tobacco, with an emphasis on marketing to women," with a focus on women who are targeted by the tobacco companies to promote their products.

The global anti-tobacco day this year focuses on combating the habit of smoking among women and girls, as their share is comprised of about 20 per cent of the world's total smokers, accounted at over a billion.

The Dubai Municipality is hosting a series of events and activities specially designed for the occasion of the world no-tobacco day. The opening day activities kicked off at 5pm at Mall of the Emirates, which went up to 9pm.

A senior civic officer said that women are also subjected to passive smoking, which is especially dangerous to pregnant women. There is an increase in the number of women smokers in the UAE - especially Shisha smokers.

"The tobacco-free women programme aims at raising awareness on the effects of passive smoking on women, as well as women who smoke in general and pregnant women in particular, while addressing its effects on the health of the foetus and the skin," said a DM spokesperson.

"The campaign will educate women and the public on the dangers of smoking and its negative effects on women and society, and emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle for the targeted segment based on healthy habits, food and sports," he added. "It will highlight the efforts of the civic body in providing free medical checks to the public and smokers and creating awareness to stop smoking."

The DM's campaign included activities such as a competition on quitting smoking, during which people who want to quit smoking registered their names in the special forms. The programme will be followed up by the DM's clinic section and a speciality hospital. Details will be announced later on the DM's official web portal.

Meanwhile, the DM will coordinate with the petrol pumps where the staff will wear team shirts of the occasion, and through these stations, leaflets will be distributed to the public, said the spokesperson.

"And for the first time, sales of cigarettes will be stopped for 24 hours on May 31 in petrol stations of Emarat, ENOC and EPPCO and the drivers of the DM vehicles will also be banned from cigarette smoking," he said.

"A mobile awareness exhibition is also being organised, where people will be offered free medical consultations under the supervision of doctors including a gynaecologist, a general practitioner and a skin expert," he added.

"The free examinations include examination of carbon monoxide, examination of the skin to see how dry or flexible they are, examination of the lung to find out how strong it is, and examination of the eye to see how dry they are because of the smoking," explained the DM spokesperson.

According to him, the free medical examinations in Mall of the Emirates will continue until May 28 and free medical checks and medical advice will be offered to smokers and non-smokers among the visitors to the mall.

Similar activities will be arranged at the Dubai Mall on May 29, and on May 30 at Dubai Ladies Club. In addition to the exhibition, free medical check-ups will be offered to members of the women's association branches at Al Towar and Al Barsha.

The DM also organises a symposium as conclusion of the campaign at 10am on May 31 at the City Hall in the Municipality. The winners in the contest to quit smoking will also be honoured there.