Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has successfully renewed its international accreditation for the fourth consecutive year from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). This renewal covers the departments responsible for inspection and sampling within the Food Safety Department, specifically in the area of monitoring imported food across all entry points to the country, including Hamad International Airport, Hamad Port, Al Ruwais Port, and the Abu Samra land border.

According to Qatar News Agency, the renewed accreditation also extends to the inspection of local food across various food establishments such as factories, restaurants, hotels, markets, and food handling facilities, all in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO 17020.

This achievement reaffirms the Ministry of Public Health's ongoing commitment to applying international standards in food inspection, reflecting the efficiency of its regulatory system and the robustness of the procedures in place to safeguard consumer health in the State of Qatar.

Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health Wasan Abdulla Al Baker stated: 'Maintaining this prestigious accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board [ANAB] for the fourth year in a row is clear evidence of the technical competence and high professionalism demonstrated by the Ministry's inspection teams.'

Al Baker emphasised that the accreditation enhances the credibility of inspection outcomes at the international level and helps strengthen the trust of partners and beneficiaries in the quality of the regulatory services provided. Adding, 'This accreditation serves as official confirmation of the Food Safety Department's dedication to implementing quality requirements and compliance in line with recognised international standards, and it underscores our continuous efforts to boost our effectiveness. Achieving this milestone for the fourth consecutive year is a cornerstone in consolidating the confidence of regulatory bodies and partners, and a clear testament to the department's commitment to a methodology of continual improvement.'

Al Baker also noted that the relevant departments underwent a comprehensive technical audit conducted by ANAB experts at the end of May, successfully meeting all requirements for renewal without any observations or non-conformities recorded.

This accomplishment forms part of an integrated strategic plan adopted by the Ministry of Public Health to advance the food safety system in Qatar by promoting proactive oversight across the entire food chain and adopting an advanced regulatory model that supports achieving the highest levels of food safety, aligned with the country's public health and sustainable development goals.