emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), in partnership with the UAE National Codex Committee—operating under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology as the Codex Contact Point—and the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), recently concluded a two-day workshop titled “Evaluation of National Codex Programmes in the United Arab Emirates.”
Held on May 14–15 in Abu Dhabi, the event brought together members of the UAE National Codex Committee, leading national and international food safety experts, ADAFSA representatives, and key stakeholders from consumer protection and trade sectors.
The workshop employed the Codex Self-Assessment Tool, created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as a crucial framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the country’s national Codex programmes. This tool helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that national systems remain aligned with the latest scientific and regulatory advances.
Attendees participated in detailed presentations and discussions focused on the core components of the evaluation process, such as institutional communication and consultation, capacity-building for Codex activities, and incorporating international Codex standards into national legislation. Interactive working groups were formed to address scoring techniques, consistency in assessments, and documentation support.
At the conclusion, organisers highlighted the strategic significance of the workshop’s results in supporting the UAE’s national objectives related to food security and sustainable agricultural growth. The workshop is expected to enhance the alignment of UAE Codex efforts with international Codex guidelines and improve the application of Codex standards in food safety laws and regulations.
Key recommendations included developing specialised national training programmes on Codex Alimentarius to broaden local expertise and boost the UAE’s active participation in Codex-related global initiatives. Strengthening the UAE’s role in influencing Codex legislation, specifications, and technical guidance was also emphasised as a key priority.
Participants further stressed the urgent need for collaboration among all food safety stakeholders—including government bodies, the private sector, academia, and civil society—to ensure effective, harmonised implementation of Codex standards. This unified approach is vital to achieving the highest levels of food safety and consumer protection within the UAE.
Established in 2020, the UAE National Codex Committee is a vital part of the country’s strategic vision to enhance food security and attain global leadership in the Food Security Index by 2051. This workshop reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to adopting international best practices in food safety and quality, while protecting public health and maintaining consumer confidence in food products.
Held on May 14–15 in Abu Dhabi, the event brought together members of the UAE National Codex Committee, leading national and international food safety experts, ADAFSA representatives, and key stakeholders from consumer protection and trade sectors.
The workshop employed the Codex Self-Assessment Tool, created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as a crucial framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the country’s national Codex programmes. This tool helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that national systems remain aligned with the latest scientific and regulatory advances.
Attendees participated in detailed presentations and discussions focused on the core components of the evaluation process, such as institutional communication and consultation, capacity-building for Codex activities, and incorporating international Codex standards into national legislation. Interactive working groups were formed to address scoring techniques, consistency in assessments, and documentation support.
At the conclusion, organisers highlighted the strategic significance of the workshop’s results in supporting the UAE’s national objectives related to food security and sustainable agricultural growth. The workshop is expected to enhance the alignment of UAE Codex efforts with international Codex guidelines and improve the application of Codex standards in food safety laws and regulations.
Key recommendations included developing specialised national training programmes on Codex Alimentarius to broaden local expertise and boost the UAE’s active participation in Codex-related global initiatives. Strengthening the UAE’s role in influencing Codex legislation, specifications, and technical guidance was also emphasised as a key priority.
Participants further stressed the urgent need for collaboration among all food safety stakeholders—including government bodies, the private sector, academia, and civil society—to ensure effective, harmonised implementation of Codex standards. This unified approach is vital to achieving the highest levels of food safety and consumer protection within the UAE.
Established in 2020, the UAE National Codex Committee is a vital part of the country’s strategic vision to enhance food security and attain global leadership in the Food Security Index by 2051. This workshop reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to adopting international best practices in food safety and quality, while protecting public health and maintaining consumer confidence in food products.