The Peninsula, 7 June 2021: Qatar’s Public Health Ministry has issued a Food Safety Practices Guide for Food Services.

They have been issued in line with international best practices in food safety and the requirements of the relevant Gulf standards.

They were prepared by the Ministry’s Department of Food Safety and Environmental Health together with international consultants.

They are aimed at helping food services in the country comply with Qatari laws and regulations to ensure food product safety.

It provides detailed instructions on mandatory legislative requirements to be met as well as food hygiene and safety measures based on the HACCP approach.

They will be reviewed and evaluated by the Department of Food Safety and Environmental Health inspectors during official inspections.

It also contains proposed control measures for food service establishments to ensure they comply.

There are three chapters. The first chapter outlines the pre-requirements including establishment requirements, equipment, pest control, staff, hygiene and disinfection. The second chapter includes requirements for control processes from food preparation to displaying, packaging, data development, and sampling. The third and final chapter discusses the food safety requirements which include food traceability, recalls, non-compliance and complaint processing.

It is expected to be enforced within a year and feedback has been sought.

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