Nutritional labelling is mandatory for locally produced and imported food products, legislators have been informed.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed affirmed commitment to adhere to local and Gulf regulations and specifications that mandate the inclusion of nutritional information on all food products.
The minister said officials were co-ordinating through the Public Health Directorate to ensure that all food items carry labels displaying calories, allergens and other key details.
“The process of evaluating food products and ensuring compliance is based on approved Gulf technical regulations and specifications,” said Dr Al Sayyed.
“They are assessed and reviewed by nutrition specialists who verify the accuracy of the information provided on the label,” she added.
“This is done by cross-referencing the data with laboratory analyses conducted by accredited labs.
“The specialists also confirm the validity of the nutritional details on the label, ensuring the product complies with health and safety standards.”
Mrs Al Sayyed. (File photo)
Dr Al Sayyed said all mandatory nutritional data must be presented in both Arabic and English.
“Inspectors from the Public Health Directorate are responsible for verifying compliance,” she stressed.
“They ensure the safety of food products by checking their contents, allergen declarations, storage conditions and expiration dates.
“No product is allowed to be sold or distributed in the market without a proper nutritional label. Continuous monitoring and regular market inspections are conducted to identify and address any violations.”
The minister said this stringent regulatory framework reflects the ministry’s dedication to ensuring the safety and transparency of food available in the market.
“By adhering to local and Gulf standards, the Health Ministry aims to protect consumers and provide them with accurate information about the nutritional value of the products they consume,” said Dr Al Sayyed.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to enforcing food safety standards and ensuring that consumers have access to accurate and reliable information.
“Our collaborative efforts with other authorities help maintain the integrity of the food supply chain and protect public health.”
She added that this initiative underlines the ministry’s focus on promoting healthy eating habits and enhancing consumer trust in the quality of food products.
MPs were notified about the response during their weekly session yesterday.
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