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"Regional Food Safety is a Critical Health Issue," Say Experts

Posted on: Monday, 23 January 2006, 09:00 CST

The Middle East is set to host a pioneering conference on food safety this February, responding to growing public awareness of the issue and its impact on public health.

Recent months have seen a number of food "scares" in the region, ranging from local concerns about the quality and cleanliness of outdoor restaurants, through to international discussion over genetically-modified produce and its potential effect on human health.

As part of its ongoing policy of public outreach on these issues, the Public Health Department of Dubai Municipality is organising the Dubai International Food Safety Conference alongside Gulfood 2006 The 11th Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire. Gulfood, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, is one of the world's most successful food and hospitality trade-only exhibitions and will take place from the 19 22 February 2006.

The food safety conference, sponsored by Nestl and Organic Foods & Caf, will take place on the 20, 21 and 22 February from 09:00 am 11:00 am in the morning at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

One of the highlights of the event will be a visit from a delegation from the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was set up by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) of the United Nations in 1963. Representatives from the group, which aims to promote shared food standards around the world, will be joined by experts from across the region and from Canada, Australia and the United States to discuss some of the specific challenges facing the Middle East.

Amongst the key issues "under the microscope" will be the importance of ensuring the application of world-class standards and regulations to protect public health. There will also be a presentation on the possibility of introducing e-certification within the region, to make the tracking and registration of food outlets and wholesalers easier to manage centrally.

Hosted at the DICEC, the conference is the first of its kind to run alongside Gulfood, and organisers anticipate that it will make a valuable contribution to the wider discussion around food safety.

"Gulfood is the region's largest gathering of food and hospitality companies, so it is only fitting that we should use this opportunity to debate some of the key concerns surrounding food safety and help to drive the development of ever-higher standards of food distribution and production," said Khalid Mohammed Sharif Mohammed Al Awadi, Asst. Director of Public Health Dept. & Head of Food Control Section.

"We're particularly pleased to be joined by representatives of Codex, who have made a major contribution to the global discussion on food standards and whose insights should be of great interest to delegates at the conference," Al Awadi concluded.

Gulfood 2006 - The 11th Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire, will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 22 February 2006. The opening hours are 11.00 to 19.00 on the 19 21 February, and 11.00 to 17.00 on the 22 February. Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open for business and trade visitors only, proof of which must be provided at registration. General public and children are not allowed into the exhibition.

Photo caption 1: Gulfood one of the world's most successful food and hospitality trade-only exhibitions.

Photo caption 2: Standards and Safety in the Middle East to be discussed at Dubai International Food Safety Conference

About GulfoodSince its first edition in 1987, Gulfood has been considered the Middle East's and Africa's primary business platform for food, drink, food service and hospitality equipment. The exhibition is a showcase of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers from around the world, representing all key sectors within food and hospitality.In 2005, the event brought together 1,730 companies from 59 countries and featured 36 national pavilions. The show attracted 29,100 visitors from 127 countries including buying delegations from as far as Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia and the UK.The Emirates International Salon Culinaire, organised by The Emirates Culinary Guild is held alongside Gulfood and features seminars, culinary competitions and demonstrations. In 2005, the Salon involved more than 850 international chefs.Several supporting events held alongside Gulfood 2005 included the Iraqi Business Networking Event, the Buyers-Sellers Meeting on Horticultural and Apicultural Products and the 3rd Middle East Food Marketing Forum.Gulfood 2006 is set to build on the 73% growth of net exhibition space experienced at Gulfood 2005 and is introducing a new Wine & Spirits section to the show as well as welcoming back the Emirates International Salon Culinaire.

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)As the Organiser of Gulfood, Dubai World Trade Centre offers over 25 years' experience of supporting world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise, in- depth market knowledge and excellent infrastructure. Our team organises 12 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region. Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the conference and exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors.

2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Source: Al Bawaba

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