Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Sharjah Municipality has issued a warning to residents, urging them not to purchase goods from illegal street vendors, emphasizing the potential health and safety risks associated with these unregulated markets. According to the municipality, these vendors often sell products at very low prices, but they are frequently counterfeit, expired, or otherwise unsafe. “Don't be tempted by low prices at the cost of your safety and your family's well-being,” the municipality said in a statement on Thursday (October 24). The municipality also highlighted that purchasing from such vendors is illegal and could result in fines or penalties for both the buyer and the seller. Sharjah authorities have been actively cracking down on illegal street vendors, conducting more than 4,000 inspections in local markets since last year. As a result, 620 violations were recorded, and hundreds of counterfeit items were seized. Offenders were arrested, and the goods were confiscated. A spokesperson for the Sharjah Municipality said that the focus of these inspections is to protect public health and maintain market safety standards. “These items often lack proper safety certifications and can pose serious risks to consumers, from food poisoning to harmful chemical exposure in counterfeit products,” the municipality warned. The municipality has urged the public to report illegal street vendors, encouraging them to shop from legitimate retailers to ensure product safety and quality. Consumers are also advised to be cautious when encountering unusually low prices on items like food, cosmetics, and electronics. ICA/Expat Media
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