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Qatar’s food safety system recorded a 97% compliance rate in the first half (H!) of 2026 after laboratory teams tested 7,755 samples drawn from local markets and border entry points. The Ministry of Public Health said the results highlighted the effectiveness of its National Food Monitoring and Surveillance Plan, which combines continuous market surveillance, laboratory testing and risk-based controls to protect consumers. The Food Safety Department examined products across a wide range of food categories between January and June. Only 3% of all samples failed to meet approved requirements and technical regulations, while the overwhelming majority passed the prescribed safety checks. Fresh fruit and vegetables returned one of the strongest results. Of the 1,476 samples tested from local and imported produce, 98% met the required standards. The examinations included checks for pesticide residues and microbial contamination. Fish and seafood also achieved a compliance rate of more than 98%, with 779 samples undergoing tests for chemical contaminants and indicators linked to proper handling, storage, safety and quality. Laboratory teams tested a further 1,374 meat and poultry samples, more than 93% of which were found to be compliant. Dairy products recorded similarly strong results. More than 98% of the 1,321 samples examined conformed to approved technical requirements. The ministry said it continued to follow up on a limited number of cases involving quality indicators and nutritional composition to safeguard the standard of products on sale. The surveillance programme prioritised widely consumed foods and products considered most closely linked to public health. By directing resources towards higher-risk categories, inspectors sought to identify potential hazards early and introduce preventive measures before they could pose a wider threat. The ministry said this risk-based approach helped maintain stable food-safety indicators and improve compliance during the six-month period. Inspection campaigns, laboratory analysis and early-warning programmes will continue under the national plan to ensure that food reaching consumers across Qatar remains safe, wholesome and compliant with regulatory standards.

The Ministry of Public Health announced the results of implementing the National Food Monitoring and Surveillance Plan for the first half of 2026, which aims to enhance food safety and protect consumers' health in the State of Qatar through ongoing surveillance and laboratory analysis programmes for food products available in local markets and those imported through border entry points.The results of the Plan, which was implemented by the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, showed a high level of compliance with food safety requirements.A total of 7,755 food samples were laboratory tested from January to June 2026, covering the various food commodities available in the State. The results showed that 97 percent of the samples complied with the approved requirements and technical regulations, while non-compliant samples accounted for only 3 percent. This reflects the effectiveness of the food control system and the efficiency of the measures applied to ensure food safety in the State of Qatar.The National Plan also gave particular attention to the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, given that fresh fruit and vegetables are among the most widely consumed products, with 1476 samples of various local and imported varieties tested. The results showed a compliance rate of 98 percent, reflecting the effectiveness of monitoring pesticide residues and microbial contaminants and the safety of agricultural products available in local markets.In the fish and seafood sector, 779 samples of various seafood products were tested as part of control programmes aimed at verifying the safety of highly sensitive products by monitoring safety and quality indicators, including chemical contaminants and indicators relating to proper handling and storage. The results showed a compliance rate exceeding 98 percent, thereby enhancing the safety of seafood products available to consumers. A total of 1,374 samples of meat and poultry were tested, with a conformity rate exceeding 93 percent.Surveillance activities also covered 1,321 samples of dairy products. The results showed high levels of compliance with the approved technical requirements, with the sample compliance rate exceeding 98 percent. Meanwhile, the Ministry continued to follow up on a limited number of non-compliance cases related to quality indicators and nutritional composition to ensure that the quality of products available in markets is maintained. The results also confirmed the success of the risk-based control approach. Monitoring efforts were directed towards the most widely consumed products and those most closely associated with public health, with a focus on the early detection of risks and the implementation of the necessary preventive measures. This contributed to maintaining stable food safety indicators and raising compliance levels during the first half of 2026.The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that it would continue to implement the National Food Surveillance Plan, while strengthening inspection, laboratory analysis and early-warning programmes to ensure the provision of safe and wholesome food to consumers in the State of Qatar. 

Geo-Chem India, part of the Cotecna Group, today formally inaugurated its state-of-the-art Food Safety Laboratory in Mumbai, India in the presence of Sébastien Dannaud, Group CEO - Cotecna; Amit Chopra, CEO, Cotecna - South Asia & Middle East; Avinash Maheshwari, CEO, Geo-Chem India; and other senior leaders, technical experts and laboratory professionals. The facility marks a significant milestone in Geo-Chem India's growth journey and further strengthens its ability to support food businesses, exporters, importers and regulators with advanced testing and inspection services. As global & India's food industry continues to expand and regulatory requirements become increasingly stringent, the new laboratory will help businesses strengthen quality assurance, meet compliance obligations and facilitate access to domestic and international markets. Reinforcing Geo-Chem India's commitment to strengthening food safety and quality infrastructure, the Mumbai laboratory brings together advanced instrumentation, experienced scientific teams and internationally recognised testing methodologies developed by support of our European counterparts to support a broad spectrum of food safety and quality requirements. Commenting on the inauguration, Sébastien Dannaud, Group CEO, Cotecna, said: " India is one of the world's most dynamic food markets and an increasingly important player in global food supply chains. The opening of our new Geo-Chem laboratory in Mumbai reflects Cotecna’s commitment to investing in the expertise, technology and infrastructure needed to support the food industry's evolving challenges. With our expanded capabilities in India, we are helping customers strengthen quality assurance, meet evolving regulatory requirements and access domestic and international markets with confidence." Serving more than 850 clients, employing over 200 professionals and processing over 100,000 samples annually, Geo-Chem India's Food Division laboratory network is recognised among the Top 5 Spice Testing Laboratories in India by the World Spice Organisation (WSO). "India is a strategic growth market for Cotecna, and the Mumbai laboratory reinforces our commitment to supporting the region's food industry with world-class testing services. By combining our global expertise with strong local capabilities, we are helping customers meet evolving compliance requirements and compete successfully in international markets" said Amit Chopra, CEO, Cotecna, South Asia & Middle East. The laboratory's analytical portfolio includes testing for pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), contaminants, additives, allergens, microbiological parameters, food contact materials, GMOs and fumigation residues. The facility also supports hygiene and environmental monitoring, along with research and development for new analytical methods and customer-specific testing requirements. On the formal inauguration, Avinash Maheshwari, CEO, Geo-Chem Laboratories Private Limited said, "This new facility marks an important milestone in Geo-Chem India’s journey and reflects our commitment to strengthening food safety through world-class infrastructure, advanced technology and scientific excellence. Designed with European standards and pharmaceutical-quality practices in mind, the facility significantly enhances our sample-handling capacity and also expands our testing capabilities to include PFAS, dioxins, radioactivity & others.” “With our customers at the heart of this investment, our vision is to build Geo-Chem India into one of the most trusted and respected food testing laboratories in the industry, setting new benchmarks in quality, reliability and innovation” said Maheshwari. Geo-Chem India has built a strong reputation through internationally recognised accreditations and regulatory approvals, including ISO/IEC 17025, EIC, APEDA, GAFTA, FOSFA, BIS and FSSAI, among others. About Geo-Chem Laboratories Private Limited: Geo-Chem India, founded in 1964 and part of the Cotecna Group since 2022, is a leading Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) company providing independent testing, inspection and assurance services across food, agriculture, life sciences, minerals, metals and industrial sectors. Through its network of laboratories and technical experts, Geo-Chem India helps businesses ensure quality, safety, compliance and market access across domestic and international markets. About Cotecna: Cotecna is a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services. We offer solutions to make supply chains safer and more efficient for our clients. Our trusted network of professionals and certified laboratories provides expertise across five key sectors: agriculture, food safety, metals andminerals, system certification & ESG solutions and consumer products. Founded in Switzerland in 1974, Cotecna started off as a family business and has now grown to become a world-class international player with over 8,100 employees in more than 180 offices and laboratories across approximately 50 countries.

The Trump administration Monday proposed a rule that would require food companies to inform government regulators when they add new ingredients to products.Doing so would close a decades-old loophole that food safety experts have said allowed thousands of substances including thickeners, stabilisers and flavorings to enter the US food supply with little oversight or safety assurances."Parents should not need a chemistry degree to understand what children are eating. Americans deserve real transparency. They deserve real food," said Trump's health chief Robert F Kennedy Jr in unveiling the proposed measure, which will be subject to public comment.For many years, food and beverage companies could introduce new ingredients without Food and Drug Administration review, thanks to a decades-old rule known as "GRAS," or "generally recognized as safe."The rule had been intended to allow bypassing review for common ingredients such as flour or baking soda.But companies used to self-certify a much broader class of substances.Food manufacturers have pushed against efforts at GRAS reform, along with Kennedy's efforts to craft a finalised federal definition of ultra-processed foods, which he has long vowed to do.He said Monday that such a definition had been developed, but did not release it.The proposed GRAS rule, which is so far light on details and without a timeline, is sure to delight the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which Kennedy on Monday personally thanked."Thank you to the MAHA movement and to the millions of Americans across the political spectrum who believe that their children deserve to eat real food," Kennedy said.The MAHA movement is best known for championing Kennedy's policies on rolling back vaccine recommendations, overturning the traditional food pyramid and successfully pushing for the reduced use of synthetic food dyes."You built this movement from the ground up," he said. "You demanded change, and today we are transforming our food system because of you."Kennedy for months has been leaning into food and nutrition advocacy ahead of November's midterm elections, downplaying his far more controversial efforts to upend national vaccine policy.The health secretary has long espoused anti-vax views, and public health experts accuse him of contributing significantly to a growing measles crisis by fueling fears of well-studied and proven immunisations. 

The Shura Council approved a landmark food safety law and reviewed a proposal aimed at reinforcing family values among the country's youth at its regular weekly session yesternday, presided over by Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim. The new legislation on food, passed in its amended form after a review of the Health, General Services and Environment Committee's report and deliberations among members, has been referred to the government for further action. The Council also took up a Social Affairs, Labour and Housing Committee report on the government's response to its earlier proposal concerning family upbringing and the strengthening of national and social values among younger generations, and resolved the matter accordingly. Several parliamentary engagement reports were also tabled. **media[452613]** These covered the Council's delegation at the Second Women Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, held in Abu Dhabi in January; the participation of Sultan bin Hassan al-Dabit al-Dosari at a temporary diplomatic committee meeting of the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union in Cairo in February; and Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari's attendance at a March videoconference seminar on counterterrorism frameworks and the protection of humanitarian action under international humanitarian law. The session opened with agenda director Ahmed Sultan al-Ghanim reading out the order of business, after which members approved the minutes of the previous sitting.

Qatar has officially joined the Global Alliance for Food Safety for the period 2025 to 2027.The alliance brings together leading countries in the field of food safety and the World Health Organization's (WHO) collaborating centres, with the aim of enhancing coordination, knowledge exchange and integration of efforts in implementing the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030.The network focuses on monitoring food-borne diseases and detecting food contamination.The announcement of Qatar's accession was made during the participation of the Ministry of Public Health in the Alliance's annual meeting, which was recently held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.The meeting brought together representatives from more than 40 countries and around 90 participants from regional and international organizations collaborating with the World Health Organization, as well as national institutions, research centres and academic bodies.The meeting served as a vital international platform to review achievements, share experiences, and define future priorities and steps, including opportunities for cooperation and resource mobilisation to support national and regional programmes.During the meeting, it was also announced that a group of specialists from the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health would join four working groups covering various areas to support the alliance's programmes and enhance the exchange of expertise among member states.Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health Wasan Abdulla al-Baker stated, "Our participation in the Alliance's annual meeting represents an opportunity to strengthen international co-operation and exchange expertise and best practices in the field of food safety"."It also enables us to contribute effectively to accelerating the implementation of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030, enhance Qatar's global role in the field of food safety, broaden its vision within the international community and increase its impact in promoting global food safety standards," she added.Qatar's accession to the alliance reflects the country's commitment to actively contributing to international efforts to enhance food safety through the development of partnerships and capacity building among member states.This will help to strengthen national capabilities, achieve the goals of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030 and reduce the health risks posed by food-borne diseases at both national and international levels.

The National Conference on Food Safety, which will start Monday is considered a pivotal milestone within national efforts to develop and strengthen the food system and ensure its safety, stressed Jaber Hassan al-Jaber, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Conference.He noted that the event reflects the integration of institutional roles to achieve a safe and sustainable food future, improve the quality of life, and raise public health standards. The National Conference on Food Safety will be held under the patronage of HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, and HE Mansour bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, from Sept 22-23. It will bring together several ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, and experts in health and food safety.Al-Jaber explained that the conference, organised in partnership between the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Public Health, is part of Qatar’s efforts to establish food safety as a cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030. He further stressed that it serves as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing best practices, strengthening Qatar’s position in the field of food security and safety. The conference will address seven main themes, including legislation and policies by reviewing national and international laws and regulations with emphasis on the draft food law and the Amiri decision to establish the authority; technology and innovation through showcasing the latest applications and programmes such as the electronic food control system and the smart inspection programme; risk management by discussing control systems based on risk assessment and management and the impact of climate change; scientific research and studies by highlighting the role of research in addressing food safety challenges; sustainability and food security by linking safety standards with sustainability concepts to ensure food security; emergency and food-borne disease management by presenting best practices for prevention and rapid response; and Qatar’s experience in the FIFA World Cup 2022 by highlighting the strict oversight that ensured the safety of food served during the tournament.Meanwhile, Khalid al-Sulaiti, deputy chairman of the Organising Committee and assistant director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, stressed that the National Conference on Food Safety is a significant national initiative reflecting Qatar’s commitment, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to establish a comprehensive food safety system. He explained that this commitment stems from the crucial role of food safety in protecting community health from food-related risks. He further noted that the conference will review the latest developments in the legislative and executive framework of food safety, including the new draft food law, the project to establish the General Food Safety Authority, and the launch of the electronic Watheq e-system for food control in line with international standards.