Muscat: The Food Safety and Quality Centre has reported the completion of 256 field inspections in the first half of 2024, as part of its initiatives to improve the oversight and inspection of food products, ensuring adherence to health standards and approved specifications.
These inspections encompassed a variety of establishments, including food, agricultural, animal, and fishery sectors, as well as fish powder and oil production facilities, warehouses, fishing vessels, and several trading and marketing locations to verify compliance with established standards.
Dr. Hussein bin Simah Al Masrouri, Director-General of the Food Safety and Quality Centre at the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Water Resources, highlighted the ministry's commitment to maintaining food safety and quality.
The ministry has implemented a comprehensive system through the centre, adapting to advancements in food production while emphasizing scientific principles and risk management.
In a statement to the Oman News Agency, he noted that the ministry's initiatives encompass a variety of measures and regulations that oversee the production, importation, exportation, trade, and consumption of food products, alongside inspection protocols, the issuance of necessary regulations, the qualification of food establishments, and the monitoring of products in local markets.
He also mentioned that the centre addressed 90 reports and warnings during the first ten months of 2024 (January - October), resulting in the issuance of 11 local food notices, 3 recalls, and 1 advisory.
These initiatives demonstrate the centre's dedication to a swift and efficient approach to addressing food safety concerns. In addition, the Food Safety and Quality Centre processed 26,584 imported food shipments during the first half of 2024, issuing more than 15,138 validity certificates, 2,319 health certificates, and 552 export certificates, thereby bolstering the international trade of food products.
Moreover, the centre aligned 451 explanatory data cards with 1,396 test reports. These actions underscore the ministry's commitment to fulfilling food safety and quality standards while fostering consumer trust in the food products available in the market.
