• Home
• News Article

DM announces seventh International Food Safety Conference and First Middle East Forum of IAFP

Dubai Municipality on Tuesday announced the seventh International Food Safety Conference and the First Middle East Forum of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). The Conference and Forum will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, Chairman of Dubai Municipality at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21 and 22 - February 2012 under the theme: "The future of food safety".

This came during the press conference held at Municipality conference hall in the presence of Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Municipality, Khalid Sharif Al Awadi, Director of Food Control Department and Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee and Eng. Amina Ahmad, Director of Accreditation Department, Vice President of the Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Scientific Committee.

Eng. Lootah said I am very much delighted to announce the seventh International Food Safety Conference 2012, which is the final destination of researchers about the latest developments of food safety at global level. This annual scientific demonstration is one of our symbols of pride of the emirate of Dubai, which is related to the brilliant vision of DM to make our emirate the hub of excellence and outstanding people.

"In 2011, Dubai has imported more than 6.7 mn ton comparing to around 5.6 mn ton in 2010 with an increase of one million ton (18%), confirming the leading role of Dubai as an important centre in the regional level in relation to the food stuff business. These foods have been imported from 151 countries in 2011 comparing to 160 countries in 2010," he said.

"As far as the food establishments are concerned, in 2011 the civic body licensed 2202 permanent food establishments of different activities compared to 2075 establishments in 2010 in addition to the license for 1974 temporary institutions in 2011 and 1922 in 2010. This means that Municipality has to take more efforts to ensure the compliance of all these institutions with applicable conditions in Dubai," he added.

Khalid Sharif said this year's conference is special because it is also International Association for Food Protection's (IAFP) First Middle East Symposium on Food Safety. We have joined hands with the IAFP in the mission to advance food safety worldwide and protect the global food supply. DIFSC is the biggest and most prestigious international food safety event hosted in the Middle East region that attracts regulators, industry professionals, researchers and students who work in the food safety disciplines.

"There is no doubt that food safety has been the centre of attention in the past year with consumers, especially after the E Coli outbreak in Germany. While tackling current issues, it seems that new and more challenging issues are arriving at our doorstep every day. It has never been important to stay in touch with current and emerging issues, the latest science, to learn new solutions to new and old problems and to meet people and exchange ideas," Khalid said.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC), Centres for Science in Public Interest (CSPI), International Life Science Institute ( ILSI) etc will present talks at the conference. Our national and international counterparts such as Dubai Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority ( ADFCA), Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Export Council of India etc will also be participating in the conference," he said.

Concluding the speech, Khalid Sharif thanked the valued sponsors and supporters, namely: Mars, Nestle, Spinneys and Kraft Foods, the platinum sponsors of the conference who made a significant contribution to the scientific programs of the conference, in addition to Lulu, Meat and Livestock Australia the gold sponsors and Abu Dhabi National Hotels and Mc Donald's the silver sponsors.

Explaining the programmes of the conferences Eng. Amina Ahmad said we have tried our best to provide diversified items for the benefit of participants and visitors based on our previous experiences, where the conference will host the lectures by some of the world leaders in food safety, seven symposia, two technical sessions, four workshops and more than 40 poster presentations. More than 50 presentations will be made by eminent speakers from 15 different countries and local government authorities

"The key topics include Future and Challenges of Food Safety, Food Safety Audits and Inspections, Food borne Disease Surveillance and investigation of disease outbreaks, Microbiological Testing, Safety of Animal Products, Role of Cold Chain Management in Food Safety and Labelling and consumer awareness," Amina said

She welcomed the food industry, scientific organisations, educational institutions and the regulatory authorities to join the unique international event that has helped Dubai to be on top of the globe in terms of food safety.

-Ends-

For further information:
Naseem K.M
Media Officer, Media Section
Dubai Municipality
+971 206 04 4654 +971 4 2232188
+971 551643870 nkhamza@dm.gov.ae

© Press Release 2012