Abu Dhabi to make food safety training and test mandatory for all food handlers

Abu Dhabi: Attending a food safety training programme and passing its exam is to be made mandatory for all food handling staff in the emirate within the next two years, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) announced on Wednesday.

Only 37 per cent of food handlers who attended the programme have passed the exam so far, which was termed "tough" by many of them. At present the training and test are mandatory for only 40 to 60 per cent of staff at each of the existing food establishments.

The Emirates Food Safety Training (EFST) programme, the first government-led training programme of its kind in the Middle East, is based on the four essential pillars for safe food handling: cleaning, cooking safely, chilling safely and avoiding cross-contamination, said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Public Relations and Communication, ADFCA said.

It is implemented now in a phased and incremental manner, targeting all food handlers involved in the food chain: preparation, processing, cooking, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, selling and service of food or donating food.

"It aims to provide food handlers with adequate knowledge and understanding of all aspects of food safety to ensure that food is handled safely in food businesses throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," he said.

"In an industry that has a very low level of literacy, a quick transformation is hard to come by. The challenge is made all the more difficult by the mix of multiple cultures and languages," Al Reyaysa said.

Although 55 per cent of food handlers are not fluent English or Arabic speakers, ADFCA is trying to cash in on another positive factor — 73 per cent of them are young, below the age of 35.

Although the training materials are now available only in Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu, the trainers are capable of conducting the programme in several other languages. A three-year validity certificate is given to participants on passing the exam.

ADFCA is currently developing the first internationally recognised pictorial food safety examination based on photographs. This will present a fun approach towards measuring the competency of handlers.

Launched two years ago in August 2008, 27,000 food handlers have undergone the training so far, and 37 per cent of those who attended the training passed the examination.

The Authority appreciates the efforts of participants by rewarding them with a food safety qualification and an attendance certificate.

The food industry has welcomed the initiative, while expressing their concern about the "tough nature" of the exam.

"About 1,257 staff members of our outlets in Abu Dhabi have been attending the training which has helped us to improve standards," said V. Nandakuamar, Corporate Communications Manager of the Emke Group which runs retail chain Lulu.

"Many of them have successfully passed the test, although it has been a little bit tough," he said.

Mohammad Kunji, an Indian cook at a restaurant who recently completed the training, said: "I know many people who failed the exam, so I delayed attending the exam to prepare well."

Test

Multiple cultures

Source — ADFCA