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New star rating system for Dubai restaurants. Applications will be accepted from January 2022

Restaurants in Dubai could soon be recognised with a new kind of award in the form of a Dubai Star.

Dubai Municipality launched the star-rated system this week saying it will assess and award restaurants based on how well they apply methods that promote the use of safe, healthy and high-quality food. Restaurants in the emirate will be reviewed and honoured annually for their efforts towards implementing sustainable food safety practices. The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the 15th Dubai International Food Safety Conference at Expo 2020 Dubai. Restaurants will also be evaluated on their social responsibility and their efforts towards helping the UAE boosts its food security goals.

“Dubai Star is the rating that guarantees international recognition,” a spokesman for Dubai Municipality said in a promotional video for Dubai Star.“[It] confirms a commitment to sustainable food systems that is at the heart of Dubai’s vision for the future.”

Noted as the first global rating of its kind, Dubai Star will encourage chefs and restaurateurs to think deep about the impact their food will have not just on the customer, but on global food security as a whole.

How will restaurants be evaluated?

Restaurants whose evaluation result will be 95 per cent or more will receive three stars. Two stars will be given to restaurants whose evaluation result will be between 94 per cent to 90 per cent.

“Restaurants whose evaluation result will be between 89 per cent to 84 per cent will be awarded one star,” explained Al Taher.

He added, “Participating outlets should have a varied menu. They must serve at least more than ten different types of meals. For example, a restaurant serving only burgers or only steaks will not be evaluated.” Dubai Star standards include food safety and quality, food quality standards, sustainability, and social responsibility.

“The most important criteria for rating is safety, followed by nutrition and sustainability,” he explained.

Who will evaluate the restaurants?

Restaurants will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of experts, such as food safety experts, senior chefs, and those involved in health, safety and sustainability assessment.

Al Taher said the initiative aims to enhance food safety and quality, by developing food safety systems, raising standards of competitiveness among restaurants.

“It will help in enabling consumers to choose restaurants that meet their needs,” he explained.

Application details for the rating system can be found on the Dubai Municipality website.

“The criteria have been made available in both English as well as Arabic. The ratings are only for restaurants and no other food establishments,” said Al Taher.

Image credit: Gates Hospitality

Source: https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/environment/2021/11/19/new-star-rating-system-in-dubai-will-honour-restaurants-for-sustainable-practices/

and https://www.khaleejtimes.com/food/dubai-star-to-accept-applications-from-restaurants-from-january-2022