UAE explores ways to build food security

COMMON FOOD PRACTICES DISCUSSED AHEAD OF NATIONAL STRATEGY LAUNCH

The UAE Office for Future Food Security is exploring common food practices in the UAE in the lead-up to the launch of the National Food Security Strategy in September 2018.

The strategy will enable the UAE to be one of the leading food-secure countries in the world that produces its own food with less reliance on imports and maximises the UAE’s abundant resources will be released in September.

The UAE Office for Future Food Security met with representatives from leading government and international entities, as well as experts in health and nutrition.

The high profile entities included the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The discussion covered leading food trends in the UAE, which include the high consumption rate of food supplements by the public.

Participants discussed the genetic make-up of the Gulf region, as well as the risks of consuming fast food. It was agreed there is a high level of health awareness among the UAE public, despite the vast amount of information from conflicting sources.

The experts noted the increasing sizes of meals served at restaurants, in addition to the spread of diet-related illnesses, exploring ways to use Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and big data in nutrition.

Nutrition patterns

The UAE Office for Future Food Security asserted that food security in the UAE is closely related to the nutrition patterns of the country’s population. The lack of clear food security policies in the region, and the multitude of nationalities in the country, results in differing nutrition habits and various cuisines. These patterns must be studied and improved according to international best practices, in an effort to tailor local food security policies to meet the challenges and opportunities that face it. Participants in the meetings agreed it is essential to draw a comprehensive genetic map for the Emiratis to determine the main nutrients they require.