Abu Dhabi: A tough new draft law will step up penalties for those found to be endangering food safety across the UAE, according to legislation presented to the Federal National Council for review and approval on Tuesday.

The bill suggests a jail term of up to three years and a Dh2 million fine for food safety offenders.

The legislation, passed by the Cabinet last month, sets out key requirements to establish a system of effective regulatory and oversight services to ensure the protection of public health and protect consumers.

It provides for a prison term of not less than a month and a fine of up to Dh500,000 for those who deal in food or products that contain pork or alcohol or any of their by-products without permission.

Misleading consumers by publishing a false description of food or using incorrect labels will attract a fine ranging from between Dh10,000 and Dh100,000, according to the draft law, which will need to be passed by the House and get a final endorsement by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan before it becomes law.

To read the full article, please click here.

Source: www.gulfnews.com. Written by Samir Salama.