Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DUBAI330
2009-08-12 11:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Dubai
Cable title:  

DUBAI SEEKS TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS

Tags:  SOCI PGOV AE 
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VZCZCXRO0516
PP RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDE #0330 2241136
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 121136Z AUG 09
FM AMCONSUL DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6588
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 9877
UNCLAS DUBAI 000330 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO; NEA/ARP/BMCGOVERN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI PGOV AE
SUBJECT: DUBAI SEEKS TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS

UNCLAS DUBAI 000330

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO; NEA/ARP/BMCGOVERN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI PGOV AE
SUBJECT: DUBAI SEEKS TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS


1. (SBU) Summary: Recent press reports about a spate of food
poisoning cases in Dubai, including high-profile deaths of
several children, have resulted in growing concern about food
safety standards in the emirate. The Director of the Food
Control Department (FCD) at Dubai Municipality attributes the
increased press attention to an aggressive food safety campaign
launched in 2008, however. The Municipality hopes that the
increased scrutiny will lead to improve food handling practices.
To that end, they welcome USG assistance. End Summary.


2. (SBU) The Director of Food Control Department (FCD) at the
Dubai Municipality Khalid Sharif and Senior Food Studies Officer
Bobby Krishna told PolOff on August 11 that the FCD launched a
food safety campaign in 2008, which has resulted in the
temporary closure of dozens of restaurants and food outlets.
They contend this campaign is the reason behind the increasing
press attention to food safety standards and, tragically, the
numerous deaths which occur here each year from improper food
handling. Krishna argued that Dubai Municipality -- notoriously
protective of its public reputation -- views this attention to
food safety as positive. Sharif and Krishna acknowledged that
Dubai lacks a robust public health infrastructure, such as a
central coordinating public health body.


3. (SBU) Approximately 60 food poisoning cases -- about 40
resulting from the preparation of homemade food -- have been
reported in Dubai in 2009. Whether this represents an increase
over previous years is unknown as hospitals are not equipped to
confirm suspected cases, nor is the data tracked. The FCD
(rather than the Dubai Health Authority) and Dubai Police
conduct food-borne illness investigations. Hospitals and
private citizens report food poisoning cases directly to Dubai
Police as well as the FCD via its complaint number. The Dubai
Police conduct criminal investigations into suspected food
poisoning cases. In those resulting in death, suspected
offenders (i.e., restaurant owners) are arrested and tried.


4. (U) The FCD has an ambitious plan to further improve public
awareness of food safety through a campaign to be launched
during Ramadan. In addition to traditional outreach such as
lectures and seminars, the FCD's food safety campaign includes
SMS alerts, blogs, and interactive sessions on Facebook and
Twitter to reach, among others, the youth population.


5. (SBU) Both Sharif and Krishna spoke candidly about the public
health weaknesses in Dubai and expressed eagerness to
collaborate with more experienced partners. Sharif specifically
noted that USG assistance in establishing best practices for
food safety inspections, better laboratories, and a health
surveillance system would be welcome.

GAVITO