Doha, August 03 (QNA) - The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has increased its monitoring of local markets to strengthen its efforts in ensuring the safety of imported and domestically traded foods in Qatar. In the first half of 2024, the Ministry inspected 60,520 shipments of imported food to verify their safety and compliance with relevant technical standards, said MOPH in a press statement on Saturday. The total volume of imported food that met these standards was 1 billion, 168 million, and 695 thousand kilograms. Meanwhile, 985 thousand and 676 kilograms of non-compliant food were destroyed, and 211 shipments were re-exported, the statement added. The Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health issued 155 export and re-export certificates, 104 food destruction certificates, and 48 food re-inspection certificates during the first half of the year. Regarding export certificates, the Department issued 155 export and re-export certificates in the first half of the year. Additionally, the Depa rtment issued 104 certificates for the destruction of food products and 48 certificates for the re-inspection of food items. During this period, there were 625 requests for the destruction of food items and 102 requests for the re-analysis of food products. The Ministry also processed 3,119 requests for the final clearance of products and conducted 147 reviews and follow-ups on the registration of operational information for local food establishments. As for the services provided by the Ministry of Public Health to food producers, 1,279 producers were registered in the first half of this year. The Ministry issued 1,734 certificates to food handlers and granted 766 food handler permits. In its efforts to improve the operations of food establishments in Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health inspected 3,221 local food establishments to ensure compliance with relevant laws, standards, and technical requirements. A total of 7,022 samples from imported foods at the country's ports were analysed. Additionally, 10,0 64 samples from local food establishments were tested for safety and quality. The "Watheq" electronic food safety system approved 21,457 food items, ensuring they met the necessary standards. Furthermore, 883 food establishments were registered under the system. The Ministry also responded to 181 public inquiries and complaints about food safety, received through the health sector's hotline number 16000. (QNA) Source: Qatar News Agency
Related Posts
Finance Minister meets Malaysian Tourism Minister
Manama, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, met with Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Malaysia.
Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahm…
Qatar Renews Commitment to Continue Providing Necessary Support to UNHCR’s Activities, Programs
The State of Qatar has renewed its commitment to continue providing the necessary support to the activities and programs of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to enhance its capabilities to overcome the challenges and di…
8 soldiers were injured in an Israeli bombing of Damascus
The Syrian Ministry of Defense said at dawn on Friday, “Israel launched an air attack targeting a site in the vicinity of the capital, Damascus, wounding 8 soldiers and causing some material losses.”
The ministry stated in a statement that the aeria…