Doha: The Ministry of Public Health joins the world countries to celebrate the World Food Safety Day which falls on June 7 each year.
Under the theme “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,” this year’s celebration aims to raise awareness and support actions and plans to achieve ‘safer food for a healthier planet.’ It highlights the role of governments in preparing for the unexpected by committing to national plans for food safety emergency responses, strengthening surveillance systems, and enhancing monitoring capabilities.
The celebration also emphasizes the importance of the roles of both food companies and consumers in preparing for unexpected incidents. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of improving communication and coordination among government bodies, the private sector, and the public to respond effectively to food-related incidents.
In this context, MOPH is launching an extensive awareness campaign through various media outlets. This includes disseminating food safety awareness m
essages via social media and the ministry’s website, as well as distributing brochures and booklets on food safety. Additionally, the exterior of the Ministry of Public Health building will be illuminated in orange, symbolizing World Food Safety Day.
The Ministry is also organizing numerous important activities and events. One of the highlights is a workshop to present and discuss key food safety management projects with strategic partners, aimed at involving all stakeholders in making decisions related to food safety.
Furthermore, the Ministry participated in Qatar University’s event celebrating World Food Safety Day, during which the first batch of students specializing in food safety graduated.
Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Wasan Abdullah Al Baker stated that the celebration of World Food Safety Day contributes to enhancing the Ministry’s efforts in monitoring imported foods at Qatar’s entry points and inspecting local food establishments. The celebration is al
so an occasion to underline the roles of all stakeholders in ensuring food safety.
She noted that the Food Safety Department has achieved numerous accomplishments in the area of “preparing for the unexpected,” which is this year’s World Food Safety Day theme. Key achievements include effective communication with the International Food Safety Authorities Network, with the Food Safety Department serving as the national contact point for Qatar. Additionally, a multidisciplinary team has been activated to manage food incidents, and the roles of surveillance, response, and emergency preparedness in food safety have been strengthened. A guide for the procedures of withdrawing food products has also been prepared.
In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared World Food Safety Day to raise awareness about the importance of food safety globally.
Source: Qatar News Agency