WAM Abu Dhabi, Jul 18th, 2012 (WAM) - Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has announced the launch of a major food safety awareness campaign for the month of Ramadan focusing on hidden food risks such as germs and bacteria.

The campaign is aimed at drawing consumer attention to these aspects in order to help preempt the occurrence of food-borne illnesses during the holy month.

The launch of the campaign was announced in a press conference held today at ADFCA's main building, addressed by senior officials of the Authority. The campaign is part of the Authority's many efforts at raising food safety awareness among the consumers and increasing consumer confidence in the foods sold and circulated in the emirate.

The campaign will see ADFCA disseminating a set of essential food safety information, especially in regard to the unseen aspects of food safety such as germs and bacteria.

The campaign will elucidate the environs in which germs and bacteria grow and multiply as well as the reasons why the foods themselves turn perfect breeding grounds for germs and bacteria as a result of bad food handling practices.

The accent will be on the good shopping and consumption patterns that will go a long way in reducing food risks for the consumers. Through the campaign, ADFCA will try to inculcate good shopping and consumption practices and draw the attention of the consumers to the types of foods that require a good deal of caution and care during their purchase, transportation and storing.

Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Food Safety sector at ADFCA said: "The launch of this campaign complements the steps and initiatives ADFCA has taken so far to enhance food safety standards in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We leave no stone unturned in our efforts to raise consumer awareness about the risks posed by bad food handling practices.

During this campaign, we will focus on the unseen dangers involved in food handling such as germs and bacteria that the consumers can get exposed to without their knowing it. We will highlight their harms on the consumers and their families.", she added.

WAM/AB