The UAE launches the first factory to produce pureed baby food in the Gulf countries

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – Kizad Group and Barakat Group, which specializes in the field of fresh food and juice production in the UAE, announced today the start of construction work on a project to develop a specialized baby food manufacturing facility in Kizad, through the Barakat Group’s joint venture with Pure Baby Food Industries.

The project includes the development of the first industrial facility in the GCC countries dedicated exclusively to the production of pureed baby food.

The company will allocate total investments worth approximately 150 million dirhams to develop the facility, which will contribute to enhancing local manufacturing capabilities in the food sector, as well as meeting the growing regional demand for locally manufactured infant nutrition products.

As the 10,000 square meter facility enters full operation, it is expected to achieve a production capacity of up to 90 million units annually of baby food products, including pureed fruits and vegetables, in addition to protein-rich baby food from meat and fish.

The facility will rely on fresh ingredients from fruits, vegetables, meat and fish to manufacture the products, which will be packaged and put on the market in flexible bags and glass containers. As part of its integrated industrial activities, the facility will produce selected varieties of packaged juices that can be safely stored at normal temperatures.

The project is also expected to provide about 200 direct job opportunities, in the fields of manufacturing, quality assurance, food safety, logistics services, and operational support, as well as indirect job opportunities across local supply chains and the agricultural production and logistics sector.

The facility was designed according to the highest standards as a fully certified factory for the production of halal food for children, with the implementation of a comprehensive accreditation system covering all stages of production and all product categories, including protein products such as meat and mashed fish intended for children.

This trend addresses a clear gap in the GCC markets, where the availability of local Sharia-compliant alternatives remains limited within the category of protein foods intended for children.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of the Economic Cities and Free Zones Sector at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said that this investment reflects the size and development of the food manufacturing projects that are based in Kizad. The project’s expected production capacity and the job opportunities it will provide also confirm the economic value of specialized industries and the pivotal role they play in enhancing the flexibility of the food sector.

For his part, Kenneth De Costa, General Manager of Barakat Group, said that this facility enhances the integrated business model of Barakat Group, and helps expand the production of high-quality infant foods, adding that establishing a specialized factory within Kizad will allow the group to better meet the needs of regional markets, and provide new job opportunities, while maintaining the highest standards of quality of halal food products.

The facility was designed in accordance with the highest international standards for food safety, quality and traceability, with a focus on the nutritional value and quality of products manufactured from natural ingredients free of artificial additives. The facility is expected to contribute to reducing dependence on imports and developing a local system for manufacturing halal food for children.

It is worth noting that this project supports the national goals aimed at enhancing food security, localizing vital industries, and producing value-added foods. It also represents a prominent milestone in the expansion of the food manufacturing sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in Kizad.