Sources at Sharjah Municipality (SM) said that to prevent the entry of foodstuff thought to be unfit for human consumption, the municipality has put in place a set of precautionary measures. Around 36,545 shipments of foodstuff weighing 682,903 tonnes were granted entry last year, while 27,106 tonnes of supplies that were in violation of municipality standards were rejected during the same period. Shaza Mulla, director of the public health department at SM, said that food safety standards applied by the municipality on imported foodstuff are in compliance with regulations issued by federal authorities. She added that SM has control points at all air and seaports in the emirate, where inspectors examine imported food products to ensure that they meet UAE standards and are fit for consumption. Samples of the food are also sent to the laboratory for further examination before they are granted permission to enter the country, she added. According to Mulla, any food products that are found to be expired are seized and destroyed by the municipality. Meanwhile, she noted, products that have been rejected entry are returned to the country of origin or destroyed, depending on the importer.  ( from The Gulf Today )