Abu Dhabi: Groceries, restaurants and establishments that are part of the food industry in Abu Dhabi will now have to report workplace injuries, or incidents that result in environmental damage, to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).
They must also develop a comprehensive Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) to monitor and minimise the use of water, power, fuel and other natural resources during their operations, according to a statement by the ADFCA Saturday.
These requirements are part of a new system of checks and standards introduced in line with decree No 42 of 2009 issued by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which aims to improve environment, health and safety (EHS) standards in the emirate.
The standards will be regulated and monitored by the ADFCA, in association with the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Centre.
‘Diverse range'
"This new system will not only ensure food safety, but also go beyond to provide for worker health and security as well as environment conservation," Saeed Jasem Mohammad, acting director of communications and community service at the authority, told Gulf News.
"Because the food industry includes a diverse range of organisations from the production stages till the sale and distribution of items, a list of all the establishments is being drawn up by the ADFCA. It will include feed producers, farms, supermarkets and manufacturers, as well as restaurants, hotels, caterers and all organisations involved in the food sector," he explained.
The official said that organisations would be notified about the new requirements once the list is finalised, and will be required to register themselves through a dedicated online portal. They must then develop EHSMS plans detailing how resource use will be minimised and workers will be trained, among other elements.
Mohammad said the ADFCA is currently conducting a series of workshops to familiarise industry professionals with the new system.
