Abu Dhabi: Residents can get food safety alerts on social networking sites such as facebook and twitter thanks to a new initiative of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). Continuing its efforts to use social media for public outreach and food safety awareness drives and close on the heels of the success of its Zady Blackberry service, ADFCA has now established its presence on leading social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, said a statement issued by the authority yesterday.
The pages will provide the readers with regular updates on food safety, animal health and agriculture in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Announcing the launch of its facebook and Twitter pages, ADFCA said the new initiative was an extension of its outreach services aimed at keeping in touch with the general public and food businesses on its food safety and agricultural awareness programs. The recently launched Zady Blackberry service from the Authority has already made a mark on blackberry users by regular messages reaching subscribers, consisting of alerts and directions with regard to issues of food safety and animal health, news of ADFCA and clarifications on any food-related rumors in circulation as well as alerts on agricultural initiatives.
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the move was a result of the Authority’s realization that social media would serve as an important tool for reaching considerable sections of the general public. “While launching the social media pages, we would also like to assure the public that the blackberry services would continue as usual alongside the new initiatives. Our objective is to sustain uninterrupted communication with the general public,” he explained.
Al Reyaysa revealed that ADFCA was working with a technology firm to provide similar free of cost services to I-phone users though ‘Apple Store.’ The service will also enable I-phone users to update themselves on a regular basis about the latest developments in food safety, agriculture and animal health.
Al Reyaysa pointed out that ADFCA stood out by being the first government body to reach out to the public through social media platforms such as facebook and twitter. “Our aim is to create a multi-pronged communication network, enabling us to reach out to all sections of the community. Social media has now become almost as effective a means as the regular media for community outreach. Our ambition is to establish direct contact with every consumer and guide him or her in issues of food safety and others spheres of our responsibility,” he added.
