(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) E Nakheel Market saw the most violations particularly price hike.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi inspecting fruits and vegetables at a shop in Ras Al Khaimah on Tuesday. — Supplied photo
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) of the UAE Ministry of Economy fined 13 fruits and vegetables outlets here for misleading consumers during two inspection tours in the last two days.
Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi Director – DCP on Tuesday morning said they spotted 10 shops flouting rules on Monday as part of a secret inspection tour at Al Nakheel fruits and vegetables market RAK.
“The errant vendors unreasonably hiked prices and put some vegetables in unlabeled cartons that showed no brand or any other details about production and expiry dates and country of origin to mislead consumers.”
The Nakheel Market saw the most violations particularly price hike. “Some shops were also displaying dates uncovered and under the sun” he said.
He said some shops were found selling dates honey without any validity dates.
Leading a public inspection tour at Al Jisr Fruits and Vegetables market on Tuesday morning Dr Nuaimi said they nabbed three other outlets for not observing set regulations. “They illegally put the fruits and vegetables in unlabeled cartons with no details on the brand or validity dates to sell them as if imported from other sources or origins” he said.
Dr Nuaimi announced that his staff inspectors would soon start examining the scales of all fruits and vegetables shops centres and markets in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. “We will check all electric scales and seal them for verification to make sure vendors do not manipulate the weight of any product.”
Dr Nuaimi said that all types of fruits and vegetables are available in all the markets in the country. In addition he said the prices are also affordable with a few exceptions. “Prices of all types of fruits and vegetables in the UAE have seen a salient drop of 30 per cent from the beginning of this Ramadan as compared to last year.”
Dr Nuaimi explained that a box of tomatoes is now available for Dh15 while it cost Dh45 during the same period last year. “The main reason behind this reduction in price is the larger amounts of fruits and vegetables being imported by Dubai markets on a daily basis.”
Dr Nuaimi elaborated that Dubai markets have imported 16000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables every day this Ramadan against 12000 tonnes last year. “These large amounts have decreased prices this month as compared to the previous three years” he added.
He said the working hours of the Consumer Protection Call Centre (600522225) have been extended to 2am to receive and respond to consumers’ complaints at late hours.
“Monitoring consumers an initiative recently launched have spotted numerous violations and reported them to the call centre” he said noting that more consumers are willing to cooperate with the department and report any violations.
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