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Shawarma showdown reportedly looming in Dubai
State-owned newspaper says nearly half of all stands serving the trademark Mideast cuisine will be forced to shut down amid reported failures to comply with new hygiene regulations.
A showdown over shawarma has come to Dubai after a state-owned newspaper reported on Wednesday that nearly half of all shawarma stands in the country will either be shut down or have stopped selling the popular Mideast street food.
The National newspaper of Abu Dhabi quotes Sultan al-Taher, head of food inspection in Dubai, as saying the city-state's over 570 shawarma stands have six months to update their operations to comply with new hygiene regulations.
Shawarma (Photo: Shutterstock)
Al-Taher said that in response to the announcement, 113 stopped making the meat wraps, while another 141 took no action and will be shut down. The others followed the rules or are in the process of complying with them.
Shawarma is typically cooked outdoors, with spiced chicken, lamb and beef shaved off a vertical spit. Al-Taher said Dubai's high heat can cause bacteria to spread, which is a cause for concern when it comes to public health.
