Global experts at food safety meet

AS the main hub of international food trade and a paradise for food lovers, Dubai imports, exports, processes, prepares or sells about 6 million tonnes of food that comes from more than 150 different countries. This qualifies the city as an ideal location for the 6th Dubai International Food Safety Conference (28th Feb - 1st Mar) 2011, said Khalid Mohammed Shareef, director of Food Control Department at the Municipality.

Held alongside another popular food event, the Gulfood exhibition, the conference is a meeting point of food safety professionals from different countries and cultures and a forum to address emerging food safety issues important to all countries in the region.

“The conference will deliver an array of programs that includes workshops, symposia, technical sessions and poster presentations that will feature more than 100 presenters,” he said, adding that the conference has also helped to improve international and regional cooperation in promoting food safety and has facilitated exchange of knowledge and experience across the region by identifying and promoting good practices.  

This year’s theme is ‘Food Safety in the Emerging Economies’ and the meeting will explore a variety of issues that affect food safety challenges faced by the countries that are emerging as mass producing economies.

 "Before it reaches the consumers, food travels several thousands of miles and sometimes passes through several countries that have varying degree of control measures to ensure safety of food. Food control systems in some of these countries are not always as well organised and developed as in the industrialised countries, and to enhance the safety of global food supply, we need to look at harmonising standards, sharing scientific data and promote collaboration between different governments, especially between the developed world and the developing world," explained Mr Shareef.