MOPH’s International Accreditation in Inspection and Sampling of Foods Renewed

Doha: For the third consecutive year, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has received the renewal of international accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). This renewal applies to the specialized inspection sections within the MOPH's Food Safety Department, covering the inspection and sampling of imported foods at Hamad International Airport, Hamad Port, Al Ruwais Port, and the Abu Samra border crossing, as well as the inspection and sampling of local foods from food factories, restaurants, hotels, markets, and all food handling establishments in Qatar, in accordance with the ISO 17020 standard. The international accreditation confirms that the inspection standards and methods implemented by the Ministry comply with international standards. Director of the Food Safety Department at MOPH, Wasan Abdullah Al Baker stated that obtaining such accreditation enhances the trust and credibility of the inspection results conducted by the ministry on a global level. It also serves as officia l recognition of the integrity and technical competence of the inspection authorities, boosting the confidence of clients and beneficiaries in the efficiency and quality of services provided in accordance with the ISO 17020 standard. Wasan Al Baker explained that the Food Safety Department's sections specializing in local and imported food control underwent thorough audit by experts from the ANAB at the beginning of June and met the standards and requirements for accreditation renewal without any non-conformities being recorded. The renewal of the accreditation confirms that the food control system at the Ministry of Public Health operates according to the best relevant international standards. This accreditation is part of a series of projects aimed at improving the food safety system in Qatar by following global food control approaches to achieve the highest possible level of food safety across the entire food supply chain. Source: Qatar News Agency