Food Safety and Quality Centre carries out 256 field visits in the first half of 2024

Muscat: The Food Safety and Quality Centre has announced the completion of 256 field visits in the first half of 2024 as part of its strategies to enhance inspection and oversight of food products to ensure compliance with health standards and approved specifications.

 These field visits included various food, agricultural, animal, and fishery establishments, fish powder and oil factories, warehouses, fishing vessels, some trading locations, and marketing outlets to ensure these establishments adhere to the required 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, emphasised the importance the ministry places on ensuring food safety and quality.

Through the centre, the ministry has developed an integrated system in line with changes in the field of food production, focusing on scientific aspects and risk management.

 In a statement to Oman News Agency, he said that the ministry's efforts include a range of measures and regulations governing the production, import, export, trade, and consumption of food products, as well as inspection processes, issuing necessary regulations, qualifying food establishments, and monitoring products in local markets.

 He added that the centre dealt with 90 reports and warnings during the first ten months of 2024 (January - October) and issued 11 local food notices, 3 recalls, and 1 advisory.

These measures are part of the centre's commitment to a prompt and effective response to food safety issues. Furthermore, the Food Safety and Quality Centre released 26,584 imported food shipments in the first half of 2024, issued over 15,138 validity certificates, 2,319 health certificates, and 552 export certificates, contributing to enhancing foreign trade of food products.

The centre also matched 451 explanatory data cards and 1,396 test reports. These efforts reflect the ministry's dedication to meeting food safety and quality requirements and ensuring consumer confidence in available food products.