The possibility of unifying food safety regulations in the GCC member states would be discussed during a three-day Food Safety Conference to be held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel from March 24.

"We would discuss legislation on food and their effects on food safety in the GCC member states," Khalil bin Hassan Al Baloushi, Deputy Director General of Health Control at Oman's Ministry of Regional Municipality, Water Resources and Environment, told the Gulf News yesterday.

"We would also study the differences in the food safety regulations among the six GCC member countries," he said, adding that ways to formulate common regulations would be discussed during the conference.

"We have also invited experts from all over the world to come and present their papers on Food Safety," he revealed. According to Al Baloushi, over 50 papers have already been submitted and 32, short listed by the ministry, would be presented during the conference.

Experts on Food Safety from America, Europe and Asia would attend the conference, in which representative from different Arab countries would also take part.

Elaborating on the Conference objectives, Al Baloushi said: "We aim to review current trends and knowledge on genetic engineering." He further said that the nature of food-borne diseases, their prevalence and impact, especially in the Middle East region, would be examined during the conference.

Also, he added, that the delegates would exchange experiences on recent developments in food processing and food safety.

The focus during the conference would be on genetically modified foods, food additives and contaminants, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, food born diseases, regional and international food laws and strategy for food safety in the GCC countries.

"We are still open for receiving abstracts from those who wishing to participate" the Omani health official said.

He also revealed that experts from a Canadian Institute would simultaneously conduct two workshops for the Food Inspectors in the country. "The idea is to keep our food inspectors up to date with the latest developments in food and food safety," he said.