Latest news with #FoodSafetyDepartment
Qatar Tribune
3 hours ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH launches third phase of food safety rating programme
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has recently launched the third phase of the Food Safety Rating Programme for Food Establishments in the State of Qatar. The programme aims to enhance compliance with food safety requirements across the country's various food establishments. It enables consumers to identify how well establishments are adhering to health regulations, based on the results of routine inspections. During this third phase, all food establishments that offer food services directly to consumers in Qatar will be included. The first and second phases of the programme previously covered hotels, restaurants in the tourism sector, and restaurants located within shopping malls. The ministry recently held a webinar to explain the requirements of the Food Safety Rating Programme for food establishments. This webinar formed part of the ongoing efforts by the MoPH's Food Safety Department to raise food safety standards through awareness and continuous collaboration among relevant stakeholders. The event saw wide participation, with over 600 representatives from food establishments attending. Key topics included an overview of the rating programme and its objectives, core standards and best practices for achieving a high food safety rating, practical guidance to help establishments comply with the programme, and a Q&A session with food safety experts. An interactive online survey was conducted during the seminar, with 201 participants taking part. The results reflected positive indicators of the seminar's success in meeting its objectives, and demonstrated strong enthusiasm among food establishment representatives to engage with the rating programme and meet its requirements. Under the implementation mechanism of the programme, each registered food establishment is subject to a minimum of three inspection visits. Additional visits are carried out as needed to ensure continued compliance. Food establishments are classified under the programme according to six grading levels: (1) Urgent Improvement Necessary, (2) Major Improvement Necessary, (3) Improvement Necessary, (4) Good, (5) Very Good, (6) Excellent. The classification results are published on the 'Watheq' online platform, enabling consumers to access the information. Food establishments may also display their rating at their premises. The development of the Food Safety Rating Programme for Food Establishments began following the adoption of a risk-based inspection mechanism, in collaboration with international consultants. The Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health designed the programme to ensure food establishments meet food safety standards. The design was informed by a comparative study of leading international experiences in the field and supported by a two-year field study to tailor the programme to Qatar's food safety and regulatory framework.
Qatar Tribune
3 hours ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
New programme to ensure establishments meet laid down food safety standards
Food establishments are classified under the programme according to six grading levels: (1) Urgent Improvement Necessary, (2) Major Improvement Necessary, (3) Improvement Necessary, (4) Good, (5) Very Good, (6) Excellent. The classification results are published on the 'Watheq' online platform, enabling consumers to access the information. Food establishments may also display their rating at their premises. The development of the Food Safety Rating Programme for Food Establishments began following the adoption of a risk-based inspection mechanism, in collaboration with international consultants. The Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health designed the programme to ensure food establishments meet food safety standards. The design was informed by a comparative study of leading international experiences in the field and supported by a two-year field study to tailor the programme to Qatar's food safety and regulatory framework.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Consumer feedback app now must for sweet shop owners
Officials of Food Safety Department have now made consumer satisfaction feedback app compulsory for sweet shop owners , aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the food industry, benefiting consumers in Sangam city. Around 100 prominent sweet shop owners in the city have been asked to promote the app among consumers as the move is part of broader effort by food safety authorities to leverage technology for better regulation and grievance redressal. With its implementation, the department intends to ensure that food businesses prioritise consumer feedback and address any issues related to food safety and hygiene promptly. A senior official of the Food Safety Department told TOI that the department asked traders associated with Prayagraj Sweets & Namkeen Welfare Association to promote the consumer satisfaction feedback app ahead of the festival. He added that traders associated with the organisation were briefed about the customer satisfaction feedback that was made mandatory to be displayed at the shop. Besides, displaying the standards of the Oil Board (which food contains how much oil) and the Sugar Board (which food contains how much sugar) was also made mandatory at the shops. Shopkeepers were also motivated to keep the amount of food colour at a low level in sweets and namkeen bakery products. Ankit Gupta, owner of a prominent sweet shop, told TOI that they are promoting consumer satisfaction feedback on the Food Safety Connect app among consumers and have installed banners and posters at their installations. He added that the majority of traders associated with the Prayagraj Sweet & Namkeen Welfare Association are installing details of the app at their respective shops. Gupta, meanwhile, said they are also taking part in creating awareness against obesity, claiming that obesity has undoubtedly become a major public health challenge, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Consumer feedback app now must for sweet shop owners
Prayagraj: Officials of Food Safety Department have now made consumer satisfaction feedback app compulsory for sweet shop owners, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the food industry, benefiting consumers in Sangam city. Around 100 prominent sweet shop owners in the city have been asked to promote the app among consumers as the move is part of broader effort by food safety authorities to leverage technology for better regulation and grievance redressal. With its implementation, the department intends to ensure that food businesses prioritise consumer feedback and address any issues related to food safety and hygiene promptly. A senior official of the Food Safety Department told TOI that the department asked traders associated with Prayagraj Sweets & Namkeen Welfare Association to promote the consumer satisfaction feedback app ahead of the festival. He added that traders associated with the organisation were briefed about the customer satisfaction feedback that was made mandatory to be displayed at the shop. Besides, displaying the standards of the Oil Board (which food contains how much oil) and the Sugar Board (which food contains how much sugar) was also made mandatory at the shops. Shopkeepers were also motivated to keep the amount of food colour at a low level in sweets and namkeen bakery products. Ankit Gupta, owner of a prominent sweet shop, told TOI that they are promoting consumer satisfaction feedback on the Food Safety Connect app among consumers and have installed banners and posters at their installations. He added that the majority of traders associated with the Prayagraj Sweet & Namkeen Welfare Association are installing details of the app at their respective shops. Gupta, meanwhile, said they are also taking part in creating awareness against obesity, claiming that obesity has undoubtedly become a major public health challenge, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Food Safety Department mandates consumer feedback apps for sweet shops in Prayagraj to enhance transparency
PRAYAGRAJ: Officials of the Food Safety Department have made consumer satisfaction feedback apps compulsory for sweet shop owners, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in the food industry, benefiting consumers in Sangam city. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Around 100 prominent sweet shop owners in the city have been asked to promote the app among consumers as the move is part of a broader effort by food safety authorities to leverage technology for better regulation and grievance redressal. With its implementation, the department intends to ensure food businesses prioritise consumer feedback and address any issues related to food safety and hygiene promptly. A senior official of the Food Safety Department told TOI that the department has asked traders associated with the Prayagraj Sweets & Namkeen Welfare Association to promote the consumer satisfaction feedback app ahead of the festival. He added that traders associated with the organisation are briefed about the customer satisfaction feedback that has been made mandatory to be displayed at the shop. Besides, displaying the standards of the Oil Board (which food contains how much oil) and the Sugar Board (which food contains how much sugar) has also been made mandatory at the shops. Shopkeepers were also motivated to keep the amount of food colour at a low level in sweets and namkeen bakery products. Moreover, the department has also initiated an awareness campaign against obesity. Ankit Gupta, owner of a prominent sweet shop, told TOI that they are promoting consumer satisfaction feedback on the Food Safety Connect app among consumers and have installed banners and posters at their installations. He added that the majority of traders associated with the Prayagraj Sweet & Namkeen Welfare Association are installing details of the app at their respective shops. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gupta, meanwhile, said they are also taking part in creating awareness against obesity, claiming that obesity has undoubtedly become a major public health challenge, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Driven by unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors, obesity is rising at an alarming rate among citizens of all age groups, impacting both urban and rural populations. The shift towards processed foods, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes has further contributed to the crisis. Pointedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through his Mann Ki Baat programme, also emphasised the need to create awareness and collective action to reduce obesity, particularly through lower edible oil consumption. This call for collective action highlights the importance of tackling obesity at both individual and community levels, reinforcing the need for a fitter and healthier India. The union govt is promoting healthier lifestyles, better nutrition, and physical activity through various schemes and programmes aiming to encourage long-term behavioural change, ensuring a healthier future for all.
