EXCLUSIVE: Dubai issues 'alcohol in food' ban to hotels

Sunday, 21 March 2010 11:41 AM

BOOZE BAN: Alcohol is 'strictly prohibited' in the preparation of food, the official letter said. (Getty Images)

Dubai Municipality has issued a letter banning the use of alcohol in cooking in a move that could potentially be a big blow for the city’s restaurants and hotels.

However, the move has sparked mass confusion in the industry leading to officials to rethink the ban. They are now set to issue revised restrictions on Tuesday, sources said.

The letter, a copy of which has been seen by Arabian Business, states the use of alcohol in the preparation and cooking of food, and the display and sale of food containing alcohol was “strictly prohibited”.

It is reinforcing an existing law issued in 2003. Muhammed Khalid Saeed, food health inspection officer at the Food Control Department at the municipality was not available for comment.

David O’Brien, operations director of Caprice Holdings, which runs the Rivington Grill restaurant in Souq Al Bahar, said he did not know why the law was now being fully enforced.

“It just means that it limits the scope of what we can serve. To do some dishes you need to have alcohol, like a coq au vin needs red wine, or beer for a traditional beer batter. It limits the repertoire.

He said the Rivington Grill was still using alcohol in some of its dishes until further clarification from the municipality. But, some hotels have already implemented the ban.

Uwe Micheel, president of the Emirates Culinary Guild and director of kitchens at the Radisson Blu Dubai Creek, said he thought the ban would be dropped but stricter rules brought in.

“We’ve spoken with the municipality and right now it’s going to be reconsidered and a new circular issued on Tuesday. It will not be as tough but there will be some restrictions coming,” he said.

“The way I see it, most probably, there will have to be a separate menu for dishes cooked with alcohol and separate storage – much like the restrictions that exist for pork.

“They don’t want to hurt the industry but they get a lot of complaints from Muslims about too much mixing of alcohol on menus.”

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Posted by: MJR Tuesday, 30 March 2010 12:35 PM[UAE] - UAE

Being a Muslim, I have enjoyed all kinds of foods including international without any alcohol in them. For 1 Billion Muslims worldwide, Alcohol is a NO NO and is forbidden, even in Miniscule quantities. Suddnely all these 'tourists' dont want to come here because the food does not have alcohol in it.. Give me a break.. You people just need an excuse to flame Dubai.. No, I am not an Emarati but have lived here most of my life as well a chunk of my life in North America.

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Posted by: Roland Monday, 22 March 2010 1:58 PM[UAE]

why all these laws and regulations ? put a note on the restaurant menus (A = contains alcohol) as it is common practise in many places similar to (V = vegetarian dish ) or (N = contains nuts) and leave it to the consumer whether yes/no he would like to have a dish with or without alcohol or nuts or ... ? As a long-term resident I respect the UAE laws and culture but also appreciate my personal freedom and choice

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Posted by: Abdul M. Ismail Monday, 22 March 2010 12:43 PM[UAE] - UK

While I respect Dubai is a Muslim country, this ruling is counter productive to Dubai's aspirations to continue to attract foreign trouists as a major destination for holiday makers. Dubai is already facing a real struggle to get back on its feet after last years property market collapse and this will only serve to add fuel to the fire. Recovery will not be assisted by such a decision. But, it's not all about money. It's about logic. There is nothing stopping Muslims from eating in restaurants which use alcohol in some dishes as long as a) they're clearly labelled and thus listed under a separate page on the menu and b) the restaurants use different pans for cooking alcoholic related dishes, thus abiding to strict Islamic practises. Although an aerospace engineer, I used to work in restaurants and everyone knows that the alcohol is actually burned off during the cooking process. So, once presented, the dish has no liquor in it (not that it's justification to try it!). If this law comes into effect, then it's not logical to serve alcoholic beverages in Dubai either. There's already an Emirate which forbids the procurement and consumption of alcohol. It's called Sharjah.

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Posted by: Bulldog Monday, 22 March 2010 11:27 AM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

First of all I have nothing but respect for the UAE government, their laws and the Islamic culture of the Emirati people. That being said there is a thing caused tolerance. To have a multicultural and cosmopolitan society that is Dubai then there should be respect or at least tolerance of the cultures of others and allow some of the few home comforts for the large expatriate community. How would the Muslims in the western world react if Halal food, which is alien to western culture, be banned? I thought so!

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Posted by: Dod Monday, 22 March 2010 11:16 AM[UAE]

Abu Nasser: it is interesting to hear you describe this as a drift towards less tolerance. There is another article today about a clamp down on massage parlours - is there a link there or just coincidence??

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