The CCNE Region - Regional Coordinator Oman

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) participated in the celebration of World Food Safety Day through a series of events and activities under the theme “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow.” In a video address, Dr Hisham Al-Jadhey, CEO of the SFDA, stated that “Foodborne diseases annually cause 420,000 deaths worldwide”. He emphasized “today the whole world celebrates the World Food Safety Day, because ensuring food safety along the food chain affects food safety, human health, increases economic prosperity, [...]

The Codex Committee for the Near East (CCNE) convened a meeting on 7 June to discuss World Food Safety Day, its importance and events being organized in Member Countries. The meeting was an initiative of CCNE coordinator, Saudi Arabia, who provided a presentation about food safety and World Food Safety Day. The session involved discussions about the importance of the role of food safety organizations around the world to keep food safe for a healthier future for all. Members shared their [...]

KAUST Community Life Food Safety and KAUST Research are contributing to the development of the Middle East and North Africa Section of the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC INTERNATIONAL), the leading organization for the standardization of food analytical methods worldwide. Through this developing partnership and its participation in the University Taskforce of AOAC International, KAUST is promoting and propagating best practices in food analytical science, which will be highlighted as part of the collective celebration of this year’s World Food [...]

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms F D Nassiri, a food quality manager with 12 years’ experience, has decided to conduct a solo food safety campaign for World Food Safety Day. Please support her efforts by following her Farsi-language food safety posts and advice at @foodsafetybyfdn !!

Kuwait is a food import-dependent nation and, as such, Kuwaiti authorities are very aware of the vital role food safety plays in ensuring their citizens have enough safe and nutritious food to eat. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in Kuwait works with different stakeholders in the food chain to emphasise the importance of food safety and of preventing foodborne diseases. In a statement, the Authority said: “The global burden of foodborne disease calls for collaborative and joint efforts among [...]

On 7 April 2021 the Members of the CCNE region will come together virtually for an informal meeting under the direction of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, confirmed as the new Regional Coordinator at CAC43. The meeting aims to review the ongoing work of CCNE and strengthen communication and collaboration on Codex work across the region. Virtual meetings have become a valuable tool to maintaining contact with Codex members and observers during the ongoing pandemic and ensuring that the work of Codex [...]

Mariam Eid, Vice Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, addressed the 14th Dubai International Food Safety Conference - “Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems” - held online from 29 to 30 November 2020. In describing how countries in the Arab region can harness the opportunities provided by engaging with the Codex Alimentarius, she emphasized the importance for countries to establish their priorities in order to raise awareness of food safety. “Countries of the region must convince decision-makers of the importance of [...]

The Ministry of Public Health of Qatar organized a series of initiatives in celebration of World Food Safety Day that made news headlines in June 2020. During a webinar a draft Arab food safety policy was presented. The Arab Food Safety Team of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States had tasked Qatar with preparing the initial draft, which is ‘to provide the technical basis for joint coordination and standardization of procedures among the competent authorities in the [...]

Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, and Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, issued a joint statement on 7 June 2020 on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. The statement highlighted the crucial role of safe food in promoting health and ending hunger. "Without universal access to safe food, the 2030 Agenda will be impossible to achieve. Everyone has the right to safe, nutritious and sufficient [...]

FAO, WHO and Ministry of Agriculture took the WFSD opportunity to express together appreciation to everyone who contributes to ensuring the safety of food, especially in light of the challenges the world is facing because of globalization and open markets, in addition to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. They celebrated the WFSD by undertaking a media campaign through the development of a brief on WFSD, a joint press release, an infographic with the five messages of the campaign and twitter [...]