FOOD SAFETY "VIGILANCE"-A NEW INITIATIVE IN UAE

UAE, as an independent entity, may be small in size with some what low indigenous population but its resolve to make sure the foods people eat are safe is "Himalayan" in proportion. With almost all countries in the world struggling to evolve fool proof safety monitoring system to have a control on the food business sector vis-a-vis the quality and safety of the products churned out by it, food poisoning episodes continue to occur at sickening regularity, even in advanced countries with superior infrastructure to "manage" this vexed problem. Look at the US where a Salmonella out break that killed one and affected scores of consumers in 26 states since March this year defies attempts to trace the ground Turkey meat which was found to be contaminated. The initiative by the Dubai Municipality to make food safety its top most priority is reflected by its resolve to put in place a program that will see every food establishment is "equipped" with a trained health supervisor, solely responsible for ensuring "cleanliness" and safety of the food products made by it. All kudos to the country for its innovative initiative.

"The move is aimed to supervise, follow-up and train the workers in food establishments where the supervisor has to implement necessary health requirements to ensure food safety. Khalid Mohammad Shareef, Director of Food Control Department said that the health supervisor program is a strategic partnership between Municipality and food establishments related to its various activities in the Emirate of Dubai. Nearly 2,500 health supervisors have been trained since the beginning of 2010 until now. Approximately 36 trainees completed the training programme from companies qualified and certified by Municipality."External inspectors also have been trained to inspect the areas in the Emirate of Dubai. The external inspector has to nominate a person in charge of health supervisor to oversee and follow-up in his establishment," he added. Highfield and TCL are the authorized providers by Municipality in the field of training institutions and granting certificates for health supervisors. From January 2011, all food establishments should have an in charge person with appropriate training and a certificate in the food safety. He can be the company owner, manager, chef, kitchen manager, quality manager, or any equivalent person who is always involved in the work. The in charge will be accountable to the company and government bodies regarding all type of food safety issues".

The Food Giant Cargil has recently recalled millions of pounds of ground Turkey meat in the US, suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella, fearing a nation wide calamity. It is not for want of trying that food poisoning still occurs but the complexity of the food chain makes it impractical to cover 100% of the production in any country for safety evaluation before market release. No government oversight can be fool proof and with rampant corruption prevalent in most developing countries for "buying" the food inspectors, mishaps will continue to take place. Dubai is fortunate in having a benevolent "Ruler" with unlimited power to punish "violators" and any scheme to force industry to improve their safety credentials has a better chance to succeed. Tourism being one of the money spinners for its economy, UAE has a stake in ensuring food safety with a punitive and effective enforcement regime.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com