6.

Remember that if you buy an item which is

Economical Concerns not mentioned in the list, you may leave out
an essential item. So, it is better to stick to the
written list.
1. Think about the budget of your
family and decide on the amount
7. Avoid buying the foods with low nutritional
that should be spent in buying
value such as soft drinks, confectionary,
foods.
chips, etc

2. Prepare a list of the foods that you

8. Avoid buying disposable utensils such as
intend to buy. It is better to take
plastic forks, spoons, cups, paper cups,
the decision at home to avoid
saucers, etc, as they constitute a burden on
buying unnecessary foods.
the budget and on the environment.

3. Do not get tempted by the

promotions and advertise-
ments as they are designed to
make you buy more.
4. When choosing a specific
food, make sure it is the type
that you really need.
5. Make a quick comparison
between the price and the
food volume or weight. This is
to buy the food with the
reasonable price which is
within the family budget.
If you have any concern, suggestion,
or enquiry, do not hesitate to call us:
Food Control Section
Telephone: 04 - 2064201 Emergency: 04 - 223232
E-mail: Foodcontrol@dm.gov.ae
www.dm@gov.ae
Many people lack the basic knowledge regard-
ing the best ways of buying and transporting
foods, as well as their ignorance about the opti-
mum food storage conditions. This leads to
consuming unfit food items or destroying them
before being consumed.
So, here are some advices and tips which could
help you while buying your food.
 In the market:
Health & Food
Safety Concerns
1. It is better to buy and consume
fresh foods such as fruits,
vegetables, meats, etc. as they have
high nutritional value and they are
better than the processed foods.
2. If no fresh foods are found, it is
preferable to choose foods
which are well processed and
preserved such as pasteurized
or UHT milk or frozen
foods.
3. Cut on consum-
ing canned foods.
However, when
buying them
you have to ensure
that the can is sound. Further-
more, you have to read the
 label carefully as well as
food
buying the foods with mini-
mum additives.
9. It is preferable to buy foods such as
fruits and vegetables during their
season to ensure good quality
and price.
4. Avoid foods which are high in
sugar or salt, especially if you or
10. Buy the frozen foods such as
someone of your family suffers from
hamburgers, poultry, butter,
diabetes or high blood pressure.
etc at the end of your shopping
tour. This is to avoid thawing such
5. It is preferable to buy fresh juices or buy
foods which could have adverse effects
the fruits or vegetables and prepare the
on the food safety and quality.
juices at your home.
11. Do not buy any foods which do not have
6. Make sure that the bought foods are
the information label.
preserved properly and take extra care to
transport them to your home as soon as
12. Buy food grade packaging and tools &
possible and store them properly.
utensils and avoid buying nonconforming
cups or melamine utensils.
7. Avoid buying the following
foods:
13. In case of using disposable cups or
- Foods containing pork or
saucers, make sure that are suitable for the
lard.
purpose of using them (for hot or cold
- Food containing alcohol
foods).
such as chocolate and
confectionary.
8. Check the safety of fish, meats, and poultry
before buying them. Such foods could be
checked physically by checking their
odor, color, and texture.