Abu Dhabi Closes Non-Halal Rule-Breaking Restaurant

In a recent enforcement action, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has temporarily closed down the Nepali Himalayan Restaurant due to violations of non-halal food regulations.

The ADAFSA acted swiftly after discovering that the restaurant was not only selling non-halal food items but also preparing them without the necessary permits. This breach of food safety guidelines prompted the Authority to issue a mandatory shutdown order, emphasizing the commitment to uphold food safety and protect public health.

Further investigations by the Authority revealed additional regulatory breaches by the Nepali Himalayan Restaurant. They discovered that the restaurant was using the same equipment and tools to prepare both halal and non-halal food, a serious violation of food safety norms that require the separation of these two types of food. In addition to this, the restaurant failed to separate storage areas for halal and non-halal food.

In a similar incident, the ADAFSA had earlier shut down the Abu Dhabi-based Evergreen Restaurant when inspectors found insects in the kitchen, underscoring the Authority’s dedication to maintaining stringent food safety standards in the Emirate.

The Nepali Himalayan Restaurant can resume its operations only after rectifying the issues raised by the Authority. According to ADAFSA, the restaurant must replace the existing kitchen equipment and thoroughly clean and sterilize the entire premises before reopening.

To ensure such regulatory standards are consistently met, the ADAFSA conducts regular inspections of all restaurants in the Emirate. These measures are intended to safeguard public health and ensure that all eateries abide by the prescribed food safety requirements.

As part of its ongoing efforts to maintain high standards of food safety, the Authority has urged the public to report any suspected breaches of food safety regulations by calling their hotline at 800555.