Abu Dhabi food Control Authority (ADFCA) hosted today a program to launch the special edition of the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) Journal published by Emerald Group Publishing at its headquarters in MBZ City.

The new issue features a success story from Abu Dhabi emirate in improving food safety in the food service sector, through seven scientific articles focusing on various government strategies put in place in the hospitality industry.

The articles put light on various aspects of ADFCA's project to design and develop food safety management systems based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. The project was carried out by the Policy & Regulation Sector at ADFCA to be implemented in Abu Dhabi's food service industry. Six articles in the special edition have been fully dedicated for the ADFCA project while the seventh paper focused on the  private sector.

On this occasion, Dr. Mariam Hareb Sultan Al Yousuf, Executive Director of ADFCA Policies & Regulation Sector said: "This active involvement in the special issue of WHATT journal reflects ADFCA's interest in gaining recognition among various regional and international organizations and entities concerned with food safety. It also shows the dedication to promoting ADFCA's outstanding initiatives and projects to a wider global community of readers in order to share our experience and to receive their valuable feedback"

Dr. Al Yousuf underscored the key role of  the Journal in promoting research and studies worldwide including in the field of food and dubbed it as a real reference and right channel for sharing of information and experience among experts and specialists globally.

From his part, Dr. Richard Teare, Chief Editor of WHATT commented: "Serious outbreaks of foodborne disease have been documented on every continent in the past decade, and in many countries rates of illnesses are increasing significantly Given the scale of the problem, this theme issue explores the ways in which government agencies and industry can work together to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve food safety management standards in the hospitality industry"

"Theme editor, who is the Project manager, and her team draw on a long-term project with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to provide both policy guidelines and action points for industry. She and her colleagues have made an outstanding contribution to policy and practice in food safety management, and the seven articles in this collection form an essential resource for anyone with an interest in how to secure sustainable improvements in food safety management in any sector of the hospitality industry." he further added.

It is noted that The Emerald Group comes the top in the list of Hospitality and Tourism development related publications keeping an objective of linking the science and research with the practical aspects for the benefit of societies. During the year 2013, for instance, there were more than 21 million research papers downloaded through its official website.

A number of strategic stakeholders participated in the event including government agencies such as Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Department of Economic Development, Waste Management Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE Municipalities, and  representatives from UAEU, Zayed University, and Higher Colleges of Technology; as well as several representatives from the private sector.