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Abu Dhabi: A Food Law for Abu Dhabi, which lays the foundations to take better care of consumer health by enhancing food safety and quality standards, was launched on Thursday.
The law, expected to come into effect three months after it is published in the Official Gazette, stipulates stringent measures to ensure food safety and quality.
From the producers, to storage and transportation to the retailers and caterers, the law covers all stakeholders of the food chain and defines their rights and responsibilities. It lays out penalties for violators and imparts power to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to implement these.
The law, in line with the government's strategy to achieve excellence in all fields, was launched in a ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. Various stakeholders from the public and private sector where present at the launch.
| Food safety regulation |
| Offence |
Penalty |
| Intentional handling of harmful food |
Minimum 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine of minimum Dh30,000. The fine could go up to a maximum of Dh200,000. |
| Intentional handling of adulterated food |
Minimum 2 months imprisonment and/or a fine of minimum Dh15,000. The fine could go up to a maximum of Dh100,000 |
| Handing of food containing pork or its products or any alcoholics without prior permission |
Minimum 1 month imprisonment and/or a fine of minimum Dh 15,000. The fine could go up to a maximum of Dh100,000 |
| Promoting or marketing of food in a manner that misleads the consumer |
Minimum fine of Dh10,000 |
| Other cases |
Minimum fine of Dh5000 |
| Under all circumstances, the penalty shall be doubled if the offence is repeated. |
| (Source: Food Law of Abu Dhabi Emirate) |
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