Dubai Municipality has launched the 7th edition of the Hatta Honey Festival today (27 December 2022), at the Municipality’s Hatta Hall. The festival is being held every day from 9 am to 8 pm till December 31, 2022, and is witnessing the participation of 50 Emirati beekeepers.
In keeping with the Municipality’s efforts to give the necessary assistance to local production sectors in Hatta, the festival aims at supporting the UAE’s honey production industry and improving the economic opportunities available to its citizens.
Alia Al Harmoodi, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health, and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality highlighted that the event illustrates the significance of the honey production sector in Hatta, and is one of the vital development initiatives that seeks to improve the sector in the country.
She added that this is in accordance with the comprehensive development plan for Hatta unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which entails the development of Hatta, carrying out various development and economic initiatives and projects, and offering investment opportunities to the private sector.
“Dubai Municipality will be providing fast assessment services for honey samples in the festival for exhibitors and visitors by utilising the latest technological innovations and chemical examination devices through Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL). This is consistent with the Municipality’s pledge to guarantee the quality of the honey products and compliance with UAE standards during the festival,” Al Harmoodi said.
The DCL’s role is to provide various tests that include analysis of total sugar, glucose, fructose, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), enzymes, moisture, and acidity. These tests assess the quality of honey, covering all the variants of honey that are being displayed at the festival.
A team from the DCL is educating exhibitors and visitors on the significance of the tests they are conducting and how they reflect the quality of honey, as well as creating awareness on proper production and storage of honey in order for it to retain its characteristics and nutritional benefits.
The festival serves as a platform to inform visitors about the varieties of honey and the characteristics of each type. Additionally, the event is featuring various segments such as productive families’ market, a honey sample inspection corner, and kids’ play area. Furthermore, guests are being presented with various valuable gifts.
