UAE’s food safety rating hits 98%

abu dhabi — The food safety rating in the UAE has increased in the last three years to reach 98 per cent in 2016, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has said. “The UAE has given the food safety issue much attention and has strengthened its legislative and institutional frameworks related to food safety,” he said.

Al Zeyoudi made these remarks as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states marked the ‘Food Safety Day’ on Saturday. The day sheds light and raises public awareness about food safety issues. This inauguration year’s celebrations was themed ‘food safety is the responsibility of all’.

Dr Al Zeyoudi stressed that ensuring food safety and suitability for consumption is the responsibility of all. “No food products are allowed through the border entry points unless accompanied by documents that ensure local specifications.”

The minister added that the UAE is keen on training inspectors, enhancing financial resources aimed at promoting food safety and control, strengthening channels of communication, developing food laboratories and acquiring international accreditation. These are in addition to promoting control on food relocation, storage and retail facilities, as well as implementing awareness programmes about best practices in handling food. He also said that his ministry has dealt with 127 food notifications in 2016.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said that focussing on the concept of shared responsibility in the first year of marking the GCC Food Safety Day emphasises the importance of concerted efforts between governments and society members. He called on community members not to be swayed by unreliable news or rumours about food safety and to refrain from raising unwarranted concerns without verifying their authenticity. He stressed that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, as well as the UAE food safety authorities, welcome all public inquiries and respond to them directly.