Abu Dhabi Keen to Ensure Better Hygiene in Sale of Meat Products

Anwar Ahmad

27 March 2010
ABU DHABI - Meat shops are soon to be equipped with mechanism to carry out opinion poll to measure public satisfaction with meat products and the establishments dealing in them.

This was disclosed by Dr Abdul Latif Al Thao, head of Food Inspection Section at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). “ADFCA intends to further tighten the noose on its
preservation and transportation mechanism so that its safety could be sustained,” he explained.

Meat is a favourite dish in the UAE across nationalities. The consumption of Australian meat is very high in Abu Dhabi as compared to other kinds available. The ADFCA revealed details of meat preservation methods at the two-day Third Annual Meat Inspection and Food Safety Seminar early this month.

Nearly 50 experts in food safety took part in the annual meat inspection seminar jointly organised by ADFCA and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

According to ADFCA records, in 2009 from January to November, over 2,542,176 kg of carcases were brought to the Abu Dhabi Slaughter House from Australia, 2,096,388 kg of caracases from India, 1,559,790 kg from Somalia, 436,380 kg from Sudan, 47,430 kg from Ethiopia, 637,830 kg from Pakistan.

Ahmed Kulaib, executive manager at the food safety and animal health section of the ADFCA, said, the ADFCA intended to exchange expertise and
views on the preservation and transportation of meat with the international establishments.

Al Thao said the maximum
period for the storage of meat, which passed validity and accuracy tests of the ADFCA, is 20 weeks when vaccuumed and three months in excellent
storage mechanisms.

Al Thao pointed out that cooperation with the Meat and Livestock Australia was also to train students in Australia and familiarise them with the latest laboratory techniques.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com

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