Mandatory HACCP for Dubai's F&B operators

Dubai Municipality Food Control Department director Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al-Awadhi.

The food safety management system Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is to become mandatory for all F&B operators in Dubai, a government official has revealed.

Dubai Municipality Food Control Department director Khalid Mohammed Sharif Al-Awadhi explained: “We’re going to have HACCP in place for intermediate level F&B operators and above; these people will not be able to get a license to operate an outlet unless they have this.

“This year, we are starting to look at restaurants that have more than one branch; then next year we go step-by-step for all food premises. So [this measure will be in place] within five years, I’d say.

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“Some of the smallest premises can’t implement HACCP exactly, because they’re too small — but they can at least have similar rules to HACCP. And our inspectors will judge that,” he added.

Al-Awadhi revealed that the Department had held discussions with “international companies and consultants from the UK” regarding the roll-out.

Al-Awadhi noted that Dubai had been the first emirate — and indeed Middle East country — to implement the HACCP standard as mandatory for select operators.

“Back in 2006, we made it imperative for hotels and manufacturers,” he said.

“Now, the focus for us is that the HACCP certification is not just seen as a piece of paper that operators get then forget about. We want them to follow through properly.”