The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has participated in the 11th Dubai International Food Safety Conference (DIFSC), which was organised by Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality. The authority presented a working paper on its self-monitoring system and digital programmes. Through its activities, the authority aims to make a qualitative leap in the field of food safety control in the targeted facilities, which will be selected according to pre-defined criteria.

In this regard, Thamer Al Qasemi, ADFCA's Spokesperson, has participated in a panel discussion on food rumors and the role of regulatory institutions and private sector in addressing them. During the discussion, Al Qasemi presented innovative solutions to limit and tackle food rumors through adopting an integrated awareness-system based on a series of developmental and preventive measures. These solutions aim to raise community awareness on food safety-related issues. According to Al Qasemi, a set of governmental and private institutions will co-implement such solutions through joint and integrated action plans.

During the conference, Al Qasemi reviewed the authority's projects aim to predict future of food, animal and agricultural control through promoting self-monitoring system. He said:" Through this system, the authority seeks to raise and improve safety rates in the existing food, animal and agricultural facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as encouraging of these facilities' owners to ensure continuously the safety of products in their facilities. Besides, it will ensure round-the-clock accurate and comprehensive control. ADFCA's systems also enable owners of the targeted facility to communicate immediately with the inspector in charge of guidance."

A short video about the authority's future vision was presented in ADFCA's stand, during which the visitors and participants were briefed on the self-monitoring system and the future vision of the most important digital systems that will be developed in the coming years. These systems include self-inspection App, which will allow the facility's manager to monitor his facility, to ensure product's safety. Through this App, the manager can directly refer risks to the responsible inspector, through a video connection, which enables the inspector to identify potential risks at the same moment. The App will include a feature to track complaints and food reports, as well as checking them and improving the speed of response.

Through its innovation systems, ADFCA aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce spending, save efforts, and improve the quality of services provided to customers. It also aims at simplifying the procedures, providing a high level of transparency and follow-up, raising awareness among the public to ensure the spread of self-inspection's cultural, as well as strengthening the oversight efforts in Abu Dhabi by combining efforts of both the official and the owner of the facility  through the self-monitoring system.