Food safety issues to be tackled

Dubai: A series of workshops in Dubai next month will explore ways to enhance food safety in UAE cafés, restaurants and supermarkets.

Leading experts in the field from across the world will take part in the symposium as part of the fourth Dubai International Food Safety Conference, which is being held from February 24-26 at the city's Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Representatives from several large international brands, including Nestlé, Kraft Cheese and Mars, will share information and explore ways to enhance food safety across the UAE and the Middle East region. Johannes Holtzhausen, Chief Executive of Spinneys, said it was important that consumers were able to enjoy their food in safety and comfort.

He said: "As consumers, we enter supermarkets and restaurants without sparing a thought about food preparation. It is the duty of food manufacturers and those behind the scenes to ensure consumers don't have to worry about the quality [of the produce they buy]."

Several high-profile speakers, including Professor Steve Hathaway from the New Zealand Safety Authority and Dr Steve Rizk from Mars Snack Foods, will provide their expertise on the subject.

Christine Greaves, Corporate Affairs Manager for Mars in the GCC, said: "I firmly believe that outside of the United States this will be the largest food safety conference in the world."

Change in format

Khalid Mohammad Sharif, Director of the Food Control Department at Dubai Municipality and Head of the Conference Organising Committee, said the concept of this year's event was different to that of previous years.

He said: "We have had to change the format of the event. We have had to become more technical and that is why we have organised a series of different workshops that will focus on different areas of food management including procedures for approval, handling and general awareness."

Dr Hassan Bayrakdar, Corporate Regulatory Affairs Manager for Nestlé Middle East, said: "Dubai Municipality is doing a great job in maintaining the impetus needed to instil best food safety practices in the region and they are doing it by applying international law, which if you consider the hot summer temperatures is really unique."

Dubai Municipality has been working closely with the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) to raise the conference's international exposure.

Salah Amiri, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for the General Support Services Sector, said: "We are looking at prospect of hosting the IAFP's first symposium in the Middle East in 2010."