We are available Monday to Thursday (7:00 AM-4:00 PM) and Friday (7:30 AM-1:30 PM)

You can mail us at foodwatch@dm.gov.ae

Contact number +971 4 521 8931. 

Foodwatch Al Kifaf Center is open from Monday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM- 1:30 PM

FoodWatch Support Videos

FoodWatch New Process Check

Food Safety Management - Manage System

FoodWatch Inspection – Platform

Foodwatch Inspection - Application

How to send training requests for PIC and Food handler

How to link an existing PIC to your Business

How to add food to Food Information

Foodwatch Training

All PICs are invited to join our online training sessions, please check the below online training schedule:

Free Online Learning Modules for Food Safety    

Take benefit of the free online training materials from Dubai Municipality. Just click on the modules to learn more.

Training Program for Food Handlers

Food handlers can take free online learning now through the links below. 

Module 1: Introduction Personal Hygiene (English/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Malayalam)

Module 2: Introduction to Food Hazards and Control Measures (English/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Malayalam)

Module 3: Introduction to Supplier Management (English/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Malayalam)

Module 4: Introduction to Pest Management (English/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Malayalam)

Module 5: Food Safety Critical Control Points (English/ Arabic/ Urdu/ Malayalam)

Module 6: Egg Safety 

Training For Person-in-Charge (PIC)

Module 1: Introduction to digital documentation of food safety using Foodwatch

Module 2: How can a Person in Charge Manage and Verify Safety of Delivery Vehicles

Training Program for Food Delivery Personnel

Food delivery personnel free online learning now through the links below. 

Module 1: Introduction Personal Hygiene

Module 2: Introduction to Food Hazards and Control Measures

Module 3: Introduction to Food Suppliers and Requirements for Safe Delivery of Foods 

Module 4: Precautions for ensuring safety of delivery bikes- Demo Video

Module 5: How can a Person in Charge Manage and Verify Safety of Delivery Vehicles

Updates in Guidelines to Dealing with Surplus Foods and Meals

Last updated on 09 January 2023, 13:00 hrs

Guideline in Arabic

Updates in Requirements for Integrated Training Management System for Food Establishments

Last updated on 02 January 2023, 08:00 hrs

Requirements for Integrated Training Management System for Food Establishments

Updates in Requirements for Food Transportation and Delivery Vehicles

Last updated on 29 November 2022

Requirements for Food Transportation and Delivery Vehicles 

Guidelines in English and Arabic.

Updates in Requirements Related to Wearing of Masks

 Last updated on 11 November 2022, 11:00 hrs

Further to the changes in the Covid-19 precautionary measures, staff serving food to customers in restaurants, coffee shop etc. are not required to wear a mask.

Updates in Requirements Related to Wearing of Masks

 Last updated on 01 October 2022, 19:50 hrs

“Further to the changes in the Covid-19 precautionary measures, staff serving food to customers in restaurants, coffee shops, etc. are required to wear a mask."

عطفا على التغييرات في التدابير الاحترازية لـكوفيد19:
لبس الكمامة الزامي للعاملين الذين يقدمون الأطعمة للزبائن في المطاعم والمقاهي وغيرها .

Updates in Requirements Related to Wearing of Masks

Last updated on 30 September 2022, 18:30 hrs

In line with the decisions adopted by National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management
Authority, please be informed of the following:

- This circular cancels all previous circulars in terms of Covid19 restrictions

- Food service staff (waiters and waitresses) who serve food to customers are required to wear masks. 

Guidelines to all the Grease Trap Cleaning Company for maintaining and cleaning grease traps, and transporting the waste to the grease trap waste recycling plant (Arabic & English), the sizing methodology, and the sizing calculator

To all grease trap cleaning companies see below the guideline links for maintaining and cleaning grease traps, and transporting the waste to the grease trap waste recycling plant (Arabic & English), the sizing methodology, and the sizing calculator. 

Guideline (Arabic):

https://www.dm.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%A8%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%85.pdf

Guideline (English):

https://www.dm.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Guideline-for-maintaining-and-cleaning-grease-tra.pdf

Grease Trap Sizing Methodology:

https://envirol.ae/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Grease-Trap-Sizing-Methodology.pdf

Grease Trap Size Calculator:

https://envirol.ae/grease-trap-size-calculator/

Updates in Requirements Linked to Capacity and  Social Distancing

Last updated on 25 February 2022, 17:30 hrs

In line with the decision of the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, the capacity restrictions on food establishments have now been removed. Food establishments can return to pre-COVID 19 conditions with 100% capacity. Note that conditions related to the wearing of mask and disinfection protocols remain unchanged.

Sheesha cafes can return to 100% capacity with strict adherence to the standards of the Federal Tobacco Control Law (2 square meters per person in the smoking area).

Updates in Requirements for Social Distancing

Last updated on 3 November 2021, 19:30 hrs

The social distancing between individuals has been reduced from 2 M to 1 M.

Distance between tables and chairs in restaurants can be reduced to meet the revised requirements.

Updates in Protocols for Food Service Businesses  (Restaurants, Cafeteria, Coffee Shops) and Shisha Cafe

Last updated on 12 August 2021, 08:00 hrs

The Supreme Committee for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management in the Emirate of Dubai has updated the preventive measures to be followed for COVID-19. Starting from 12^th August 2021 the following changes apply:

• Distance between tables can be decreased from 2 m to 1.5 m
• Return to pre-pandemic operational hours 

Other regulations and restrictions on food sampling and tasting, sushi conveyors etc remain unchanged until further notice.

Updates in protocols for Food Service Businesses and Shisha Cafe

Last updated on 17 May, 2021, 14:00 hrs

The Supreme Committee for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management in the Emirate of Dubai has updated the preventive measures to be followed for COVID-19. Starting from 17^th May, 2021 the following changes apply:

• Increase seating capacity on single table to 10 person in restaurants and 6 person in shisha  cafes
• Maintain 2 meter distance between tables at all times
• Restaurants, cafes and shisha cafes to close by 1.00 AM for service. Take-away and home delivery operations can remain open after this time.

Partitions cannot be used as an alternative for spacing between the tables.

Ramadan Specific Information for Food Service Businesses and Shisha Cafe

Last updated on 13 April 2021, 16:00 hrs

Further to the memo from the Dubai Economy (DED) dated 12 April 2021, dine-in facilities in food establishments can remain open during the holy month of Ramadan. Additional permits are not required to offer dine-in, take-away, and home delivery services.

 Dine-in areas can remain open without additional screens and curtains.

Outdoor seating areas should remain closed for service until iftar time. 

Shisha cafés should remain closed until the iftar time. 

There are no changes in the closing times. All food businesses and shisha cafés must close at 4 am.

Take-away, drive-through, and delivery services can be continued.

Restaurant Closure Time 

Last updated on 09 April 2021

Restaurants, cafe's  are required to close dine-in services at 4.00 am.

Take-away, drive-through, and delivery services can be continued.

Social distancing requirement of 3 meters between tables remains unchanged.

Shisha cafe's must close at 4:00 am.

Circular Number 45, Version 7 has been released for Food Establishments

Last updated on 24 January 2021

Circular number 45 has been revised with changes in the following:

1. Table to table distance for dine in facilities have to be maintained at 3 M. The distance has to be measured from the edge of one table to the other. The use of physical barroers and separators will not serve as an alternative for distance between the table.
2. Maximum number of guests in a table must be limited to 7 per table. 

For further details, visit the website of Dubai Municipality

Circular Number 45, Version 3 has been released for Food Establishments

Last updated on 24 September 2020

Circular number 45 has been revised with changes in the following:

1. Table to table distance for dine in facilities have to be maintained at 2 M. Physical barriers can be used when distance cannot be maintained.
2. Maximum number of guests in a table must be limited to 8 per table. Do not keep large tables together.

Check the Foodwatch Messenger for more details.

New Requirements for Sale and Display of Defrosted Chicken

Last updated on 12 August 2020

Supermarkets and Departmental Stores are required to strictly follow the below instructions from Food Safety Department in Dubai Municipality

•  In case of displaying/ selling pieces or parts of defrosted chicken (marinated or not marinated), there should be a clear and legible label on the package or the display area clearly stating that the product was ‘Defrosted’ and the declaration must be made  in Arabic & English.
• It`s prohibited to display or sell whole chicken that has been defrosted
• There should be complete segregation in the display chiller between the defrosted chicken items and the fresh chicken items that have been locally produced or imported.
• A sign board with (Defrosted items should not be refreezed) should be fixed in the display area for defrosted chicken.
• PIC`s should assure that the establishment will not receive nor handle any defrosted chicken items which is not meeting the above mentioned requirements.

Updates on Requirements of Food and Beverage Outlets -4

Last updated on 19 June 2020

The Food Safety Department has updated the following requirements:

• Food service business can now use traditional plates, glassware, cutlery and utensils after effective cleaning and disinfection using methods recommeded in the Food Code. Use of disposable plates, cups etc are no longer mandatory.
• Buffet services can be opened in food service business with restrictions. Food must be served by the service staff and beverages must be served on the tables. Customers should follow social distancing requirements while queuing and shall not be allowed to touch any common utensils. 

Updates on Requirements of Food and Beverage Outlets -3

Last updated on 15 June 2020

The Food Safety Department has updated the following requirements:

• Food service business can now use traditional plates, cutlery and utensils after effective cleaning and disinfection using methods recommeded in the Food Code. 
• Seating capacity must be maintained with social distancing rules in place. Any two customers who are not from the same household or family must be seated at a distance of 2 M between each person.
• Distance between two tables can be reduced if physical separators are used. Such separtors must be installed in a way that it provides complete physical barrier between the individuals seated on the different tables. The separators must be of appropriate height to fully separate customers seated in two different tables. 

Updates on Requirements of Food and Beverage Outlets -2

Last updated on 28 May 2020

The Food Safety Department has updated the following:

• Food and beverage outlets can function in their full capacity with social distancing measures in place. 
• Dine-in permits are not required for restaurants.
• Stand-alone food and beverage outlets and outlets in hotels can now allow entry of children from all age groups and also individuals older than 60 years. The restrictions for this age group still apply for the outlets inside malls.
• Follow the opening and closing times provided as a part of the National Sterilization Program
• Caterers that supply to floating restaurants and cruises can resume operations.

 For further details, refer to the memo dated 26 May 2020. The latest circulars are posted here. 

Updates on Requirements of Food and Beverage Outlets -1

Last updated on 26 May 2020

The Food Safety Department has updated the following:

• Food and beverage outlets can function in their full capacity with social distancing measures in place.
• Dine-in permits are not required for restaurants.
• Age restrictions still apply for entry to food and beverage outlets. Children between the age of 3-12 and gusts older than 60 are in the restricted category.
• Follow the opening and closing times provided as a part of the National Sterlization Program

 For further details, refer to the memo dated 26 May 2020. Latest circulars are posted here. 

Dine-in :Timing Restrictions for Restaurants

Last updated on 19 May 2020

The Food Safety Department has updated the timings allowed for restaurants for dine-in customers. From the 20th of May 2020, Dine-in must be completely closed at 7:00 PM. However, take-away and home delivery services can continue with necessary precautions in place.

Dine-in Permits Open for Restaurants

26 April 2020

Restaurants that have indoor dining area can now offer dine-in facilities to customers. Check the dine-in permits page for more details.

 To find more about Dubai Municipality's food safety requirements,