Fourteen meat outlets in Sharjah were slapped with a fine of Dh5,000 each by the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Economy for reasons like hiking prices, failing to maintain the hygiene and heath standards and not displaying the price list.

The outlets were fined for flouting rules during an inspection campaign carried out by the ministry in coordination with the Sharjah Municipality and Economic Department to ensure traders are not exploiting the holy month by hiking prices.

During the campaign tour, the officials instructed traders in the Fruits and Vegetable Market to reduce prices of several items by 25 percent. For instance, a box of 10kg tomatoes was sold for Dh30, but the officials instructed the traders to sell it for Dh25.

While touring the markets, Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, directed traders to commit to the prices that were agreed upon for the holy month with the ministry.

The inspection team found that the prices of the majority of the commodities are remaining stable and detected no attempts to manipulate the market, Dr Al Nuaimi said. The team took disciplinary action against the outlets that did not display the price tags on their products or violated the ministry’s other regulations.

At the vegetable market, he also urged the traders to replace their old weighing scales with new and clean tools to ensure accuracy and hygiene of products.

Price increase

Dr Al Nuaimi said the prices of commodities have increased due to the demand and supply factor and the prices of some had gone up at the places of their origin. The tomato prices have shot up because it is not its season in the UAE and is being imported from Jordan and some other Arab countries. The price of tomatoes is expected to come down to Dh15 for a 10kg box from next month when its season begins.

Strict action

“The UAE Ministry of Economy is committed to supervising the consumer markets during Ramadan and will act quickly and decisively to ensure that all outlets are adhering to the federal consumer protection law,” Dr Al Nuaimi said.

“We will not show any leniency to price manipulators or monopolistic traders.

“Our specialist teams will intensify their visits to monitor sales outlets across the emirates in keeping with the ministry’s priority to ensure consumer protection during the holy month.”

The number of violations has come down this year as most of the vegetable and fruit outlets are found to be following the rules, thanks to the ministry’s efforts in coordination with the municipality and Sharjah DED, he added.

The owner of Al Khail Meat Company will be summoned by the municipality for not sticking labels to show the validity dates and for selling the meat of every type for Dh37 per kilogram and Australian steak for Dh55 per kilogram. “This company was issued two fines last year and had been warned several times earlier and we will be visiting here again to ensure that they rectify their mistakes,” he added.

Dr Al Nuaimi said the inspections would continue throughout Ramadan to ensure that the traders of the emirates are not exploiting consumers. In Sharjah, consumers can call 600567777 or the municipality hotline 993 to register their complaints.