Dubai to host 4th International Food Safety Conference in February 2009

The event will be held at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside Gulfood Exhibition.

This was stated by Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, Director of Food Control Department at Dubai Municipality and Head of the conference organizing committee, who noted that the annual conference attracts a loyal following each year, along with a growing number of delegates involved in the development, implementation and maintenance of food safety programs. With more than 900 participants last year, the conference has been acknowledged as the most popular food safety event in the Middle East.

The event is organized by the Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Water, and is supported by the International Association for Food Protection.

Al Awadhi noted that each year, the overall focus of the conference program addresses issues affecting the industry that result from a wide range of events including regulatory change, international policy implementation, food-borne illness outbreaks, and recalls.

He added that the theme of this year's conference is "Food Safety in Light of Food Security" and national and international speakers will present information on a variety of food safety issues that lead to wastage of food, and provide solutions to enhance food safety, and at the same time reduce food wastage.

The conference program always looks at specific sector issues in an annually rotating fashion, such that all delegates can participate in the knowledge exchange, and apply the principles discussed in their own business environment.

The upcoming conference will include several symposia, workshops and technical sessions that will provide professional development opportunities for participants.