Many residents in the Business Bay area were scammed after their food service providers disappeared overnight, collecting advance payments from them. The meal service, run by two Asian brothers, had been providing home-cooked meals to many young bachelors, some of whom live in shared accommodations.
With a pocket-friendly price of AED600, residents could get three meals a day, whereas AED400 covered two meals. The menu consisted of many vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
This service came to a sudden halt two weeks ago when the food deliveries stopped, and calls to the brothers went unanswered. On investigating, the residents discovered that the brothers had vanished.
The building management claimed to have no information about a meal service operating within the building. Strict regulations on food safety have been enforced by Dubai Municipality to protect consumers. Food providers operating without proper licensing are subject to fines and legal action.
Under Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on Food Safety, any food provider found violating safety standards or operating without approval, faces fines of up to AED100,000 and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The law mandates that food businesses adhere to rigorous safety standards, such as sourcing ingredients from approved suppliers and maintaining hygienic conditions.
