Dubai: A new federal smart platform for food products in the UAE that went live on April 1 was the focus of a training workshop for staff of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) held in cooperation with Dubai Municipality (DM) recently.
Launched in its initial stage, Zad Federal System was developed jointly by MOCCAE and DM, to serve as the official online database platform to approve and register food products.
Using this system, customers can register their imported or exported food products in addition to those manufactured locally.
Majd Al Herbawi, Food Safety director at MOCCAE, said: “The workshop was aimed at familiarising stakeholders with the system and showing them how to make the best use of it. Zad is a major step towards food safety in the UAE.”
Al Herbawi elaborated that the workshop highlighted the system’s components, the various food categories and food registration and approval prerequisites, as well as how businesses can register their products.
“The workshop showed participants how to enter lab test results for every food item and how to find previous test results. Inspectors can find all they need to know about a food item through the system, namely its lab test results, previous violations, importer company and manufacturer.”
Participants at the workshop viewed the system’s database of traded foodstuff through UAE outlets. The system facilitates tracking and recalling a food product when and if needed, as well as provides accurate statistical data to help authorities make informed food policies and assess foodstuff and associated risks.
Al Herbawi stressed that Zad is in line with the ministry’s commitment to ensuring food safety in coordination with food control authorities in the UAE — Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Dubai Municipality, Sharjah Municipality, Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Umm Al Quwain Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Fujairah Municipality.
