Dubai launches ‘Dubai Star’ global rating system for restaurants

Dubai: Dubai on Thursday launched Dubai Star, an international rating system for restaurants.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, unveiled the new initiative at the opening ceremony of the 15th Dubai International Food Safety Conference at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dubai Star is the first global rating system based on food safety standards.

The rating will be based on how well the restaurants comply with the requirements of food safety.

It will be provided after comprehensive assessment by a professional and multidisciplinary team.

In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Dawood Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the new rating system will encourage restaurants “to adopt sustainable approaches and excel in food safety and comply with international standards.”

Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the conference, Khalid Mohammed Sharief Al Awadhi, CEO of Health, Safety and Environment Sector at Dubai Municipality said Dubai Star is not a mandatory rating system.

“But restaurants are welcome to get the rating to show their international level acceptance,” said Al Awadhi.

“We will start with UAE restaurants this year and will expand it to international restaurants from next year,” he said.

While the popular international restaurant rating system Michelin Star is based on quality, Al Awadhi said Dubai Star will be based on food safety and sustainability.

The Dubai Star stamp of approval is expected to promote competition among restaurants to increase their food safety standards, he added.

The 15th edition of the annual conference that runs through Tuesday has brought together local, regional and international experts in food safety and technology to discuss various topics under the theme “Creative solutions for sustainable food systems.”