Abu Dhabi launches a regulatory framework for innovative foods to enhance food security
ABU DHABI, 24 October / WAM / The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office announced the start of implementation of a strategic project to develop the regulatory framework for innovative foods, in a step that reflects the emirate’s commitment to pioneering innovation and enhancing the sustainability of the food security system in the UAE.
The project aims to support food security and drive sustainable economic growth in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by employing advanced technologies in food production and attracting qualitative investments in the fields of advanced agriculture, sustainable food and biotechnology.
The new regulatory framework will contribute to simplifying and integrating innovative food registration procedures in accordance with the highest international standards adopted in the UAE, the Gulf region, the European Union, Singapore and the United States, while reducing the registration period to a period ranging between 6 and 9 months, which enhances the attractiveness of the business environment for innovative companies and increases the competitiveness of companies operating in Abu Dhabi within the global food system.
The project aims to unify the requirements for new food registration, halal certificates, and production and import permits through a unified digital platform, which contributes to simplifying procedures and accelerating the arrival of products to markets.
Within the project, a national database for approved foods will be developed and detailed guides for technical and regulatory requirements will be published, thus enhancing transparency and reliability in the food system.
The project also includes developing a scientific approach to evaluate food risks according to the type of technology and its level of maturity and safety, in addition to modernizing the halal certification system to keep pace with technical developments and be in line with global systems adopted in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, thus enhancing international recognition of Emirati certificates, supporting the growth of national food exports, and consecrating the UAE’s global leadership in issuing halal certificates for protein products. Alternative and innovative foods.
His Excellency Badr Salim Sultan Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, stressed that cooperation between the concerned authorities aims to build an integrated business system that combines advanced legislation and investment and technical support, which contributes to attracting international companies in the food sector and accelerating the adoption of modern technologies such as alternative proteins, indicating that the initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s food security strategy and enhancing its competitiveness as a global center. For innovation.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, explained that developing the regulatory framework for innovative foods embodies Abu Dhabi’s commitment to adopting the best international practices in ensuring food safety and encouraging food innovation, indicating that the project enhances the readiness of the regulatory system in the emirate to keep pace with modern technologies such as cultured proteins and foods extracted by microfermentation, including Supports building a more sustainable and diversified food system.
In turn, His Excellency Engineer Fahd Ghareeb Al Shamsi, Acting Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, stressed that the Council plays a pivotal role in supporting the industrial sector and regulatory bodies by providing quality infrastructure services and ensuring that products, especially halal products, conform to the highest standards of quality and safety, indicating that the Council is currently working to enable manufacturers to obtain halal certificates for their products in order to enhance Their competitiveness strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a reliable regional center in this field.
He said that this project embodies an advanced model of integration between regulatory, industrial and scientific bodies in Abu Dhabi, towards building an integrated national system that contributes to accelerating the transformation towards a safe and sustainable food future, and enhances the emirate’s global leadership in the field of food innovation.
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