Food registration system aims to improve food safety in the UAE

A new food system has been introduced by UAE deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, during the Gulfood 2018 exhibition that began on 18 February 2018.

The online system, called Zad, is a unified federal system that allows for registration of all food items being sold across the region. The government hopes that Zad will benefit the food industry by preventing illegal trade, and reduce the time and money currently lost during the food import process due to delays and subsequent food wastage.

Zad is an initiative of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). Dubai Municipality for the Environment, Health and Safety Sector assistant director general Khalid Mohammed Sharif al-Awadi, reported that more than 600,000 food products have already been registered with Zad. He expects the Ministry to make registration of all food imports a legal obligation for producers.

“All food items being imported to the UAE for selling here or for re-exporting will have to be registered with this system. Food products produced locally should also be registered,” said al-Awadi.

Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department director Eman al-Bastaki declared that the new system will make food registry more efficient, as food items will be collectively registered across the emirates.

“Food control authorities in each emirate will accept the applications for registration through the system,” said al-Bastaki.

“Once any of the food control body approves the products, they will be registered on the federal system under different categories. Trading companies will not have to seek registration and clearance from different emirates anymore.”

Zad will also reduce the time taken for the interstate transfer of food from 15 days to one day, according to food trade hygiene specialist Ahmad Mohammad Khalifa.

Banned food and Halal certifications

Zad also eliminates issues surrounding prohibited food and the Halal certification system.

Municipality officials said that the federal system will have a complete list of banned foods instead of separate lists distributed to municipalities. This should lead to fewer delays in inspections and recalls and consequently less food wastage due to fewer application rejections.

The online system also includes a list of Halal certification and accreditation bodies approved by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA).

The regulator’s director of national accreditation Dr Rehab Faraj al-Ameri said that currently Halal accreditation from seven countries has been approved while accreditation from four other countries is currently being negotiated. ESMA has also approved 41 Halal certification bodies in 20 nations.

“Through Zad Federal System, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment aims to offer more user-friendly services to its customers,” said MOCCAE Food Safety Department director Majd al-Herbawi.

“The smart integrated platform comes in line with the ministry’s commitment to developing and implementing transparent monitoring procedures and maintaining a safe food supply.”