Waiter, there’s booze in my food: Dubai to hunt for alcohol in restaurant recipes
By APMonday, March 22, 2010
Farewell flambe: Dubai to hunt for booze in food
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai inspectors are looking for illegal alcohol, but this time inside sauces, soups and desserts.
Media reports Monday say Dubai authorities plan to step up enforcement of a 2003 law prohibiting restaurants from using booze in food preparation.
Alcoholic drinks are widely available in Dubai and the 2003 law has been mostly disregarded.
But the latest move appears aimed at easing worries from Muslim restaurant goers that no wine or liquor were used in preparing their meals. Fines for violators can run nearly $5,500.
Several Dubai chefs have argued that strict enforcement of the ban would compromise their dishes. They are in talks with the municipality for less severe regulations.
