DNV calls on the food industry to implement accredited HACCP certification to ensure increased food safety in the Middle East.
Food safety issues are at the fore this week, as experts from across the world take part in the fourth Dubai International Food Safety Conference. DNV, one of the companies supporting this event, will address the key issue of accredited Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification, which is vital for ensuring safe food for consumers.
“HACCP is one of the internationally recognised certification systems that helps companies in the food and beverage industry to identify any food safety risks, and is key in preventing food safety hazards,” explains Torger Baardseth, DNV’s regional manager in the Middle East.
“Across the Mideast, HACCP implementation has been a problem, particularly for small and medium food businesses, because of the challenges of language, literacy, cultural differences and a lack of resources and expertise. The Food Control Authorities in the region are pressing food manufacturers to get HACCP certification and approved food safety training, and DNV is the leading certification body in the Middle East which can offer help to companies in achieving this.”
HACCP certification has a number of benefits for business - the ultimate aim of the system is to assure food safety by means of food safety hazards identification and management, instead of low-efficiency, retroactive quality control. Having a HACCP certificate is a tangible way of demonstrating to customers that the food is produced safely, and thus provides overall confidence in the product. It is an important element in demonstrating food safety commitments under corporate governance, corporate responsibility, and financial reporting requirements.
Vikas Thakur, Lead Auditor and Trainer, Food Safety Management Systems, DNV, will be addressing the issues surrounding HACCP and its implementation in the Middle East at a conference session on Thursday 26 February. He will highlight an action plan for authorities and companies in the region, which includes: mandatory provisions and enforcement, in addition to provision of training, guidance and financial support. He will also stress the importance for Governments embarking on an HACCP implementation strategy to provide both financial and human resources to achieve their goals, and to ensure that small and medium sized companies have access to the materials and training required for HACCP.
Thakur said, “DNV has many years of experience in the food safety business, and we are committed to building trust, confidence and sustainable performance in the food sector in the Middle East. Last year, DNV and AFFI (Arab Federation Food Industries) signed an agreement to develop a partnership where both parties will work to increase the food safety awareness among Arab food producers. DNV is the exclusive provider of certification services to the AFFI members wanting to be certified according to internationally recognised standards, issuing international Arab certificates. We also plan to work with Food Control Authorities and the food industry in the region in order to drive this forward.”
DNV believes that it is vital for all stakeholders to work towards the common goal of food quality and safety: Government departments (health, agriculture, fisheries, education, development, trade and industry/enterprise), scientific institutes, food associations, trainers, consultants and auditors, in addition to external influences (buyers, accreditation organisations and standard-setting agencies). National food safety policies should coordinate and maximise the efforts of all stakeholders working towards the common goal of food quality and safety.
DNV is one of the world's leading certification bodies with a host of international food and beverage customers, including Coca-Cola, Pepsico, McDonalds, Sara Lee, Danone, Unilever, MasterFoods and Danone.