Key violations identified included the presence of insects and the sale or storage of expired food items.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have shut down 69 food establishments over the past 18 months after inspectors found serious violations posing direct risks to food safety, including insect infestations in preparation areas and the sale of expired products among the most frequently recorded offences.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority stated that 55 outlets were closed in 2025, while a further 14 have been shut since the start of this year after failing to comply with official directives and repeated warnings.
The authority also reported receiving 7,154 consumer complaints during the same period, including 5,514 cases last year and 1,640 complaints between January 1 and April 30 this year.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority said its inspection system is based on a risk assessment approach that considers the type of business, its compliance history, and the level of risk associated with its activities. Inspectors carry out both routine and unannounced visits to monitor food handling at all stages, including receiving, storage, preparation, cooking, preservation, display, and transportation.
The authority also said it publishes the names and photos of closed establishments to enhance consumer protection and ensure transparency, rather than to harm businesses’ reputations. It added that closure orders are issued only in cases involving serious violations that pose a direct risk to public health, and are implemented after businesses are given multiple warnings and opportunities to correct deficiencies.
Commonly identified violations include failure to provide mandatory staff training, unhygienic or unsuitable food preparation surfaces, poor sanitation practices, and improper storage or display of perishable food at incorrect temperatures or for extended periods.
The authority said enforcement is carried out through a graduated system of administrative actions based on the severity of violations, ranging from warnings and notices to fines, temporary suspension, and full administrative closure.
It added that any closed establishment is allowed to reopen only after all violations are fully addressed and inspectors confirm compliance with approved food safety standards, emphasizing that even well-known or popular restaurants are subject to strict enforcement if serious or repeated breaches are detected.
As part of transparency measures, the authority also introduced the “Zadna Rating” programme, which requires food establishments to display a sticker indicating the results of their latest inspection and their level of compliance with food safety standards.
