Latest news with #FoodSafetyRatingProgramme
Qatar Tribune
30-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH launches third phase of food safety rating programme for food establishments
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 present and 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
29-07-2025
- 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
29-07-2025
- 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.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Health Ministry rolls out food safety ratings for food establishments in Qatar
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) today officially launched the Food Safety Rating Programme for Food Establishments in the State of Qatar. The initiative aims to enhance compliance with food safety requirements across various food establishments in the country. The programme enables consumers to assess the extent to which food establishments adhere to health regulations, based on the results of periodic inspections. Under the programme, food establishments are classified into six categories: (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" electronic food safety system, allowing consumers to review them, while food establishments can also display their classification rating on-site. The programme consists of three phases, with the first two already implemented, covering hotels and restaurants in tourist areas and shopping malls. The third phase will include all other food establishments that provide direct food services to consumers in Qatar, with implementation set to begin in the third quarter of this year. As of 16 February 2025, a total of 1,284 food establishments have been classified under the programme. During the ceremony, Wasan Abdulla Al Baker, Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, honoured 51 food establishments that received "Excellent" and "Very Good" ratings under the programme, and expressed her gratitude to the recognised establishments for their commitment to food safety. The launch event, held at the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC), was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Municipality (Albaladiya), and Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), as well as the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), Qatar Tourism (QT), Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (QGOSM), Qatar University (QU), and owners of restaurants and hotels participating in the programme's first phase. In her opening remarks, Wasan Al Baker, stated, "The official launch of the Food Safety Rating Programme for Food Establishments marks a significant step towards achieving the highest levels of compliance with global health and safety standards, contributing to enhanced food safety and public health protection in Qatar." Al Baker emphasised that the programme was designed to promote transparency and credibility in the food safety sector by classifying establishments based on technical standards and requirements. This approach aims to raise consumer awareness and strengthen confidence in the quality of food products and services by providing essential information on the level of compliance maintained by each establishment. Wasan Al Baker added, "The programme is one of the key mechanisms adopted by the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health to ensure safe food for all residents of Qatar and prevent foodborne illnesses. We hope that this classification system will encourage food establishments to continuously improve their performance and adhere to food safety regulations." Mubarak Al Naemi, Head of the Environmental Health Section at the Ministry of Public Health, delivered an introductory presentation on the programme, detailing its development phases and explaining how food establishments in Qatar can utilise it. The implementation mechanism of the Food Safety Rating Programme requires each registered food establishment to undergo at least three inspection visits, with additional visits conducted regularly to ensure compliance. The programme was developed using a risk-based inspection approach, in collaboration with international consultants. The Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health designed the programme to align food establishments with food safety requirements, drawing insights from international best practices in this field. A two-year field study was conducted to evaluate the programme, culminating in its final design to meet Qatar's food safety requirements and framework. Consumers can view the classification results of food establishments through the 'Watheq' system via the following link: © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
