Categories: Breaking NewNews

Abu Dhabi inspects 1.5 million tons of imported food

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) announced that it seized and confiscated approximately 749 tons of imported food deemed unfit for human consumption at Abu Dhabi’s land, sea, and air entry points in 2024. The contaminated shipments were either returned to their country of origin or destroyed.

In a press statement released on Sunday, ADAFSA revealed that it conducted inspections on 1,528,639 tons of imported food last year, covering 82,429 imported food shipments and 681,123 food products. The authority emphasized its unwavering commitment to strengthening food safety measures and ensuring the availability of safe and high-quality food for the community by implementing regulatory strategies aligned with global best practices.

Robust inspection framework
ADAFSA highlighted its adoption of a risk-based inspection system that follows a structured series of regulatory procedures. These include verifying documentation and health certificates for commercial food consignments, conducting visual inspections, and performing laboratory testing to ensure compliance with safety standards.

The authority also integrates comprehensive awareness programs in the fields of agriculture and food safety, based on international best practices and risk analysis principles. These initiatives contribute to public well-being by ensuring access to safe and healthy food.

Digital platform for food imports and exports
Through its Food Imports and Exports Platform, ADAFSA facilitates food trade operations via the “ATLP” Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform. This system serves as a unified gateway for importers and exporters, streamlining application processes, tracking requests, and expediting the clearance of imported food shipments before they reach the entry points.

The platform also provides an end-to-end digital solution for seven key services, including:

Registration of food importing companies

Registration of imported food products

Food import applications

Export certification

Food destruction certificates

Food shipment inspection requests

Customs clearance procedures

These digital services, coordinated with Abu Dhabi Customs, enhance trade facilitation while reinforcing food safety standards.

Enhanced oversight and compliance measures
ADAFSA’s system also integrates international food safety alerts, allowing for stringent monitoring of non-compliant food products. The platform enables the electronic recall of unsafe food items, notifying registered importers to withdraw affected products from the local market and report the recalled quantities for necessary regulatory action.

Impact and growth in food trade
The authority reported a 13% increase in imported food shipments in 2024 compared to the previous year. Additionally, over 85,000 new food products were registered in the Food Imports and Exports Platform, categorizing them by food group and assessing their health risk levels. Each product is linked to a laboratory testing protocol, ensuring rigorous safety standards are met before distribution.

As part of its inspection efforts, ADAFSA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health by thoroughly monitoring food imports, seizing substandard shipments, and enforcing strict compliance with food safety regulations.

The Gulf Indians

Recent Posts

Systamatic Persecution of Christians in India

Joseph Maliakan  Seven months  of January to July 2025 , witnessed an unprecedented 334 incidents…

1 month ago

Muscat to Host 2025 Youth Ambassadors Programme, Expanding Regional Participation and Global Engagement

Muscat : Set to take place in Muscat this October, the 2025 edition of the…

1 month ago

ADNOC Gas Signs 10-Year LNG Supply Deal with Hindustan Petroleum

Dubai: ADNOC Gas has entered into a 10-year agreement to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

1 month ago

Supreme Court rules against Criminalising Protest

Joseph Maliakan In a great relief to political, social and human rights activists in the…

1 month ago

ED CANNOT BE A SUPER COP : Supreme Court and High Court

By Joseph MaiakanThe Enforcement Directorate ( ED ) the long arm of the Modi government…

2 months ago

Indian School Al Seeb Mourns the Loss of Beloved Educator Ms. Lekha Jackson

Muscat: The Indian School Al Seeb (ISAS) community is deeply saddened by the passing of…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.