August 26^th 2009
Dubai

n aswaaq has installed sanitizer units at its supermarkets in Dubai. The units, which were installed at the trolley section, were brought in to help maintain high levels of health and safety in aswaaq’s branches.

aswaaq has installed sanitizer units at its supermarkets in Dubai. The units, which were installed at the trolley section, were brought in to help maintain high levels of health and safety in aswaaq’s branches.

“Hand sanitation is extremely important, especially in public areas such as shopping centers, malls and supermarkets. An average trolley is touched by approximately 20 people per day, any of whom could have a cold or flu symptoms. Given the fact that people can easily contract flu and viruses just from touching something that a sick person has touched makes the hand sanitizers even more crucial to help prevent the spread of germs,” said Ebtesam Al Khaja, Food Hygiene Manager at aswaaq.

As the first retailer in Dubai to adopt this concept, aswaaq has its own unique procedure to encourage hand sanitizing. Customers at aswaaq will therefore be able to sanitize their hands prior to shopping.

“We are working hard to ensure that this hygiene campaign creates an environment where shoppers feel safe, well looked after and where they can have an enjoyable shopping experience,” added Al Khaja.

Hand sanitizing is an extremely effective way of maintaining excellent hygiene due to the fact that customers can sanitize their hands within a few seconds. As the best time to use a hand sanitizer is after having come into contact with a contaminated surface, aswaaq have positioned their sanitizers next to the trolleys in all their supermarkets so shoppers can sanitize their hands before and after using shopping trolleys. Once a trolley is returned to its designated area it is also sanitized using eco friendly spray sanitizers.

Most recently, the company has accomplished a major milestone of being one few supermarkets throughout the whole GCC region to be certified with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) at its Nadd Al Hamar and Al Mizhar branch. aswaaq is working towards obtaining the certificate for its upcoming locations. The certification was issued in recognition of aswaaq’s approach to ensure that health and safety measures are in place and meet international quality standards. Food Hygiene training is now mandatory at aswaaq and is attested by the Dubai Municipality.