ABU DHABI, Aug. 9th, 2008: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) today said it launched the new mandatory "Essential Food Safety training and certification" program aiming at training all food handlers operating within the emirate of Abu Dhabi in all food businesses, thus reaching to 100% trained staff by year 2012.

The program, due to commence on 10 August 2008, will be conducted through an approved list of training centres that were contracted by the authority to undertake the training for a minimum of six training hours. The training will be followed by post assessment/exam to a third party who has been contracted for this sole purpose using the Exam templates designed and approved by the Authority. Trainees who pass the assessment successfully will be granted the issuance of the training certificate.

A press release by ADFCA said program is based on instructions by its chairman H.H Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to give focus and attention to training and capacity building, and reference to the Authority's strategic plan.

This initiative comes as a translation of the Authoritys vision to be "An internationally recognized Food and Agriculture organization that contributes to the well-being of the community" which was reflected in its 2008-2012 strategic plan thus contributing in achieving the macro vision of Abu Dhabi government to be one of the five top Governments in the world with a secure society and dynamic open economy.

With the establishment of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) in year 2005, it was the Authority's institutional vision to commence on transforming and reengineering its control systems in accordance with the best international practices in the field of food safety in order to elevate the quality of living standards for the citizens, residents and visitors of the emirate and establish the balance between consumer protection and trade facilitation.

ADFCA's executive director of Policy & Regulation Dr. Maryam Hareb said the Essential Food Safety Training and Certification initiative was empowered in the newly launched Food law no. 2 for the year 2008, where a clear clause has indicated the responsibility of the food establishment in charge on training their food handlers in the areas of health and food safety based on the Authoritys issued programs for this purpose. Hence, the law has founded a key legislative building block towards designing a sustainable program that contributes to consumer protection, while strengthening the role and responsibility of private sector in ensuring the highest standards of food safety.

The project has started back in Oct 2007 where initial RFP document was developed & launched; proposals were received from various interested training providers. The most qualified bidders were shortlisted, further evaluated and awarded early 2008. Meanwhile, proposals were received from various third party assessment/ exam centres, which were necessary to avoid any conflict of interest, and the most suitable one was chosen for this assignment early July 2008.

To ensure program consistency in its structure, processes and deliverables, a detailed and comprehensive protocol guide for the whole project was designed following the best international educational practices in the field of food safety which was finalized and approved end of April 2008. The training material was developed by selected companies and further were evaluated by ADFCA's team and an international third party consultant. All materials were approved by mid July 2008 and is now under translation to be made available in a minimum 3 languages, including English and Arabic.

Implementing such a program will have a substantial positive effect on the performance level of the food establishments, thus decreasing the violations resulting from non compliances with the food safety standards, towards achieving the main goal of protecting the consumers.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.