Abu Dhabi Shuts Down Al Ain Restaurant Over Repeated Food Safety Breaches

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) has ordered the shutdown of Taj Alzumuruda Restaurant in Al Ain, citing persistent breaches of the emirate’s food safety legislation.

 

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 20, Adafsa confirmed it imposed an “administrative closure” in response to violations of Law No. (2) of 2008 on food safety and its supporting regulations.

 

Despite multiple warnings issued by inspectors, the restaurant failed to rectify the identified safety concerns. Adafsa emphasised that its operations posed “a serious risk to public health,” leaving authority no choice but to enforce closure.

 

The shutdown will remain in place until the restaurant implements necessary improvements and aligns its practices with legal standards. Once the corrective measures are satisfactorily completed, Adafsa has confirmed the establishment may resume operations.

 

New National Food Safety Regulations (2025)

The closure comes against the backdrop of sweeping changes in the UAE’s food safety framework. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the National Food Safety Committee, these reforms introduce a unified national system that integrates best practices from Abu Dhabi’s Risk-Based System (RBS) and Ajman’s Raqeeb smart inspection model.

 

Under the new system:

 

• Food businesses will be categorised by risk level, with inspection frequency adjusted accordingly -- high-risk establishments, such as those handling perishable or ready-to-eat items, will face more frequent assessments.

• Stricter control mechanisms will apply to both locally traded and imported food items through the National System for Control and Inspection of Imported Food and a complementary system for domestic products.

• Regulations will also extend to online food businesses -- including cloud kitchens and e-commerce platforms -- under the oversight of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), with non-compliance subject to penalties.

• Additionally, the “Nutri-Mark” nutritional labelling system became mandatory from June 2025. It grades certain products -- initially including baked goods, dairy, oils, beverages, and children’s food -- from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy), with non-compliant or misleadingly labeled items to be removed from shelves.

 

These regulatory enhancements underscore the UAE’s commitment to elevating food safety, public health, and consumer protection across all emirates.

 

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