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19 March 2024

Dubai food oulets must have PIC by year-end

Published
By VM Sathish

In line with Dubai Municipality's rule of appointing PIC (person-in-charge) in the hospitality sector, restaurants, hotels and catering companies in the emirate are busy training staff to meet the December 2011 deadline.

Speaking to 'Emirates 24|7', Dr M Pandiyan, HACCP Consultant, GHP Quality Consultants at GHP Food Testing and Calibration Lab, said the city would need at least 12,000 PICs to comply with the Dubai Municipality rule.

“We started PIC training programme last month. And already about 10 restaurant chains including Kamat, Gazebo, More Café, Intelligent Foods, Al Ars Bakery, Samaya Hotels etc have got their specialists trained.
 
Restaurants and food outlets have one year to fully comply with the PIC training requirement. Dubai Municipality will penalise companies by not renewing their trade licences, if they don’t comply with the PIC requirement by December 2011.

There are other food consultants authorised to conduct PIC training programme for restaurants and food handlers.

"We have trained 25 employees of Kamat Group alone. One each for each shift in one restaurant, in addition to their Central Kitchen,” he said.

However, there are restaurants not yet complying with the rule. They would be penalised if they do not deploy PICs by the year-end," he added.

“The PIC will be in-charge of the food safety policy in each outlet. When the Dubai Municipality inspectors visit food outlets, they expect the PICs to to be responsible for food safety issues. People who attend our training programmes are normally managers or owners of outlets. They are taught basic rules and legislation regarding food safety," said Pandiyan

“A PIC  can be the owner of the food business or designated person like the shift leader, chef, kitchen manager or similar individual who is always present in the work site and has direct authority, control or supervision over employees who engage in storage, preparation, display or service of foods,” he added. 

GHP  is also conducting home food safety training  programme targeting housewives. “Women who undergo training as per the Royal Institute of Public Health, UK, will be able to enter the industry.  We are providing these services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi," he added.

The PIC requirement was made mandatory after several tones of food imported to the country was found not suitable for consumption and after the unfortunate death of two children. In 2009, of the 2.8 million tonnes of food imported to Dubai, 500,000 tonnes were rejected for not meeting food quality standards of Dubai Municipality.