Dubai, December 07: A federal law on food is being studied to better ensure food safety, said the Minister of Environment and Water.
Organic food experts on Sunday also called for government body to verify organic food produced in the UAE to boost consumer confidence. Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, environment minister, in a statement on official news agency Wam, said the safety of food, produced locally or imported from abroad, needed to be guaranteed.
Fahad said new food markets presented threats including the emergence of pollutants and diseases.
The federal law will be prepared by the ministry, local government and with the advice of private sector partners. Existing laws governing food safety will be updated and integrated. A directorate for food safety has been established at the ministry.
In a Press conference ahead of the Middle East Organic and Natural Products exhibition due to open today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, experts said UAE farmers do not have a local certification body.
Saif Khalfan, legal and marketing advisor at Global Link, also said products not certified by recognised organic accreditors are not permitted in the UAE. “To increase consumer confidence in organic products produced in the UAE we need a strong public institution to certify their authenticity,” said Khalfan. “At the moment the UAE relies on international institutions to certify organic products but we need to launch one of our own.” Mohammed Abdol Naja, CEO of Al Yasra, said leading certification bodies and organic experts at the exhibition would be present at the exhibition.
“Their experiences and suggestions will be necessary for us to improve and better manage our projects in relation to organic products in the UAE,” said Naja.
Nadim Al Fuqaha, managing director, Global Links said the current estimated market for organic foods for the entire GCC could be more than $300 million.
“Over the years, we have seen increasing acceptance for organic and natural products in the region and the problem for further growth will diminish,” said Al Fuqaha. Khalfan said the UAE has eight organic farms and seven more are being developed. “There are four major farms located in the Western Region and they are primarily for dates, roses, rice, cereal and dairy products,” said Khalfan.
Al Fuqaha, said there is a demand for organic products in the GCC primarily in food stuff. “The UAE is ranked second place following Saudi Arabia in organic productivity,” said Al Fuqaha, “Out of the $300 million market for organic products in the GCC the UAE constitutes around 20 per cent.”
–Agencies