The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment intends to launch a new system for the control and inspection of food and its facilities within the country, early next year (2025), confirming that it is working in coordination with the National Food Safety Committee to study the issuance of a package of new legislation (some of which are under preparation and others have been prepared). It aims to unify and strengthen control over food products and regulate their circulation in the country, in addition to supporting emerging food industries.
In detail, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment informed the Federal National Council that the National Food Safety Committee formed by the Ministry is pursuing the unification of procedures and policies for food safety at the state level, and the development of legislation regulating food safety, stressing that the main goal of forming this committee is Improving the level of food safety in the country.
The National Food Safety Committee works to implement Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 regarding food safety and its executive regulations, which includes strict controls and standards to ensure food safety during the stages of the food chain, and to establish and develop systems for monitoring and inspecting food and its facilities and across border crossings, as well as establishing a national system. To approve and register food, in addition to establishing a rapid warning system for food and feed at all stages of the food chain, developing information exchange mechanisms at the national and global levels, and enhancing community awareness of sound food practices.
The Ministry stated, in a parliamentary report recently approved by the Federal National Council, that the National Committee for Food Safety follows up on any local and global developments regarding food safety, and works permanently through meetings to discuss any proposals or challenges that require follow-up or action to be taken. The Ministry also works on Supporting and strengthening the food safety system in the country, noting that the outputs and work of this committee are being reviewed by the Emirates Council for Food Security.
The report, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, explained that the Ministry worked in coordination with the National Food Safety Committee to study the issuance of a package of new legislation, including: regulating the circulation of new foods “under preparation,” and the national system for control and inspection of imported food “has been prepared.” The National System for Control and Inspection of Food Traded in the State is “under preparation,” and other systems and legislation that aim to unify and strengthen control over food products traded in the State, in addition to supporting emerging food industries.
The Ministry pointed out the importance of having legislation that supports food safety laws, which aim to protect humans from potential risks from harmful foods, with a focus on aspects that are not addressed by food legislation, such as genetically modified foods, for which many countries in the world have prepared integrated legislation in this regard. With the aim of protecting humans from potential harm from these products, it explained that it is working in coordination and cooperation with the local regulatory authorities to prepare legislation to regulate the control of household foods, aiming to strengthen control over these foods and regulate the circulation of these products in sales outlets, based on a study. Comprehensive of the procedures applied at the state level and the best practices applied internationally, in a way that does not conflict with the decisions and legislation issued in force in the country regarding supporting productive families.
She said: “This type of activity essentially ensures consumer safety. This type of activity is also licensed through the relevant authorities in each emirate, represented by the economic departments. E-commerce activity is also controlled through the Communications Regulatory Authority, and the necessary measures are taken against it.” Anyone who violates the terms and requirements of this activity,” stressing that it is currently establishing a special system for monitoring and inspecting food and its facilities within the country in accordance with Clause (5) of Article (5) of Federal Law No. (10) of 2015 regarding food safety.
The Ministry added: “The new regulatory system is expected to be launched at the beginning of next year, as it will depend on the inspection frequency system, according to the classification and risk levels of the facility’s activity, noting that tables have been prepared for the regulatory system, in accordance with what is applied by the competent local authorities, such as the (RBS) system.” In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Raqeeb smart inspection system in the Emirate of Ajman, and the food safety system in the Emirate of Dubai.
Penal procedures
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment explained that it or the competent authority, as the case may be, may, in the event that any food establishment commits a violation of any of the provisions of the Food Safety Law or its executive regulations, take a number of penal measures such as “warning, temporary closure, and final closure” without prejudice to any measure. Administrative or any penalty stipulated in the relevant legislation, noting that the articles of the law also regulate the facility’s right to appeal the decision issued for temporary or final closure.
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