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Officials have stepped up a food safety campaign across Dubai following the deaths of a number of children across the UAE from suspected food poisoning.
As police investigate the most recent death, of two-year-old Rishab Pranac last week, 7DAYS can reveal that a fifth child died in May from suspected food poisoning.
Shazia Rahman, aged four, died after she and her twin brother Tamiz were fed a re-heated beef meal by her Sri Lankan parents at their home in the Al Qusais area of Dubai.
Both children became ill along with their mother. All three were taken to a clinic for treatment after showing signs of food poisoning. Shazia’s mother and brother recovered, however doctors could not save her life.
In the same month, four-year-old Marwa Faisal died in Sharjah while siblings Nathan D’Souza, five, and seven-year-old Chelsea (inset) died of suspected food poisoning last month.
Dubai Municipality told 7DAYS that it has now stepped up awareness drives following the deaths.
“Our main focus is on how to keep cooked food safe and eat it within a specific period of time,” said Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, head of the Food Control Department. He added: “We are using cartoon characters to educate the public on food safety issues and have launched a major campaign in supermarkets. Schoolchildren and housewives are also being taught safe food handling practices.” He said takeaway meals from restaurants should be eaten within two hours and that any cooked food should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
Dubai Municipality is currently testing food samples believed to have caused the death of Rishab in Dubai last week. His parents fed him re-heated curry and rice shortly before he became violently ill.
Zeena Perera, the aunt of Shazia, said her parents were so traumatised by their child’s death they returned to Sri Lanka. She said: “Something needs to be done to stop such deaths. How many more will there be. It could happen to any family at any time.” She suggested setting up a hotline to report food poisoning cases and the setting up of a special medical centre to treat victims. “We might see many more deaths if nothing is done,” she said.
fareed.rahman@7days.ae
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COMMENTS
Having worked in Food and Beverage for over 14 yrs, I hold a Food Hygiene certificate Advanced. One of the things I learnt was that salad bars and rice, which contain mostly water and starch are the worst culprits of food poisoning. Bacteria grows faster and thrives in these foods, and as a result, these foods should be stored for no more than 1 day after cooking ( consumed by the 2nd day) and at a fridge temp of 4 0C. we need to have proper education for families and housekeepers ( including maids/houseboys/helpers) so that food poisoning is prevented. Good on the municipiality for regular check ups of food/beverage outlets, and keep up the strict standards. Sure, for observation of certain outlets, ignorance can be educated, but those that think that they can get away with it.....beware.
Posted by: Aussiemaus [23.Jul.09 10 : 33 PM]Zeena, whilst I sympathise with you in these difficult times you're incorrect in stating 'it could happen to any family out there'. It can and does only happen to parents who ignore basic heath precautions for the sake of saving a few dirhams. Buy fresh food, buy a freezer and follow the rules of basic cleanliness... then it won't happen. For these five children it's too late but others can only learn from their example.
Posted by: CTMirdif [23.Jul.09 6 : 42 PM]This is sad but I do place the blame on the parents. With such young kids they need to be careful what they feed them and if they cant be bothered to prepare fresh food for them then they have only themselves to blame. Well the Government can campaign and, kudos to them for trying, but lets hope it will make a difference cause the RTA campaign doesnt seem to have reached the reckless drivers.
Posted by: A. A. Ali [23.Jul.09 3 : 02 PM]I agree with Zeena that something needs to be done, but I hope she isn't blaming the government by saying 'how many more will be there'. I've witnessed families in Dubai who claim they are perfectly happy consuming goods which are a few days past the expiration date by saying 'if I have to die I'll die anyway'. What pathetic logic! They even feed such foods to their children. Awareness is not the only thing that'll help. After all, Dubai Police and RTA do awareness drives, yet idiots still roam Dubai's streets.
Posted by: anthonypermal [23.Jul.09 11 : 28 AM]Refer to the food poisoining , Im deeply feel with all these families who lost their dear children in a second.Parent must be more concern when it comes what , how and where to feed their children. Priority to homemade food .. it is safe , hygienic, and healthy. Be conscious what you eat. there are good restaurant and good fast food in the UAE. Do the right choice.Plus don't buy food and forget it in the car for hours and take it next hours or day. and this summer take good care when buy ice cream ..
Posted by: marielisie [23.Jul.09 10 : 00 AM]Again the solution to the problem is awareness and education. These mothers must been tought to prepare food especially for there toddlers from fresh ingredients and not to store it in the heat or at filthy places. The immune system and the metabolism of a two year old is different to an adult. So please do not feed them the same spicy and heavy to digest food the parents are eating.
Posted by: Jebel Ali Baba [23.Jul.09 3 : 23 AM]KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED
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