Offering goods at much less than those offered in official establishments, illegal sellers typically draw customers. The municipality underlined, meanwhile, that there is no assurance these items are fit for use or consumption. Many times, the goods these sellers offer are either expired or fake, so endangering customer health and safety. The authorities advised the people not to be drawn in by the promise of inexpensive costs since doing so may compromise their personal safety as well as the welfare of their families.

Although the problem of illicit vendors is not new, the authorities nonetheless struggle constantly with it. Usually working in regions with lots of foot traffic, these merchants put up temporary booths or sell straight out of cars. Their products span culinary items and cosmetics to electronics and clothes, with pricing that could be hard to refuse. The municipality has underlined, therefore, that consumers should consider twice before making purchases from these sources since the actual cost of these deals may be much more than the price paid.

The lack of appropriate control of items supplied by unauthorized vendors raises one of main issues. Health and safety authorities' supervision helps to guarantee that these goods satisfy the required quality criteria; without it, this cannot be done. While expired products, especially food and cosmetics, can cause major health hazards, counterfeit goods—for example, may be created using inferior or even dangerous components. Sometimes these products might not even be labelled correctly, which would make it challenging for consumers to spot such risks.

The authorities have been aggressively addressing the issue of illegal sellers by means of consistent inspections and enforcement activities; UAE officials reported in June 2023 that more than 4,000 inspections at local marketplaces had produced 620 breaches, hundreds of counterfeit and imitation goods were taken during these raids, and persons in charge of marketing them were detained, These projects are a component of a more comprehensive strategy meant to ensure that only quality, safe items are available for purchase and protect consumers from the risks connected with unfettered markets.

Consumers should be alert even with these enforcement measures since illegal vendors still find ways to avoid discovery, Authorities have advised citizens to document any dubious businesses or activities they come across since this will enable law enforcement to find and deal with individuals running outside the law, Customers are also advised to only buy items from respectable stores licensed and under control by the relevant authorities.

The warning from the municipality comes at a moment when product safety is becoming more and more important, especially in view of worldwide worries on counterfeit goods and their possible influence on health and safety. Many times shoppers might not even know they are buying outdated or counterfeit goods until it's too late, Authorities are thus giving public education on the dangers of purchasing from untested sources top priority.

Even if low costs might be appealing, it is impossible to overestimate the possible risks involved in buying from illicit sellers. Consumers' safety and well-being should always come first; it is abundantly evident from the dangers connected with counterfeit and expired goods that the savings presented by these suppliers are not worth the possible harm. While helping authorities to eradicate illegal street vending in the UAE, residents may safeguard themselves and their families from the risks presented by uncontrolled markets by keeping informed and making wise buying decisions.

Sharjah Municipality cautions against buying low-priced items from illegal markets

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