ADFCA Staff member Wins Prestigious Certification from the International Food Science Certification Commission
Yousef Alsaadi, a specialist working with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and currently pursuing his Ph.D in Food Science in the US, has become a part of global food science history by being the first Emarati national and one of 3 scientists in the Arab World to earn the designation of Certified Food Scientist (CFS) from the prestigious International Food Science Certification Commission.
The CFS was developed consistent with the ISO/IEC 17024 global standard for certification, and is awarded to applicants who pass a rigorous exam on the core professional competencies of a food scientist. The certification program was developed by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to meet the increasing global demand that professionals working within the food system must be up-to-date on the most recent science and technology advancements, and possess the knowledge and skills that enable them to ensure that safe, quality food is delivered to consumers.
Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said that Alsaadi's achievement is both a matter of pride for ADFCA on the one hand and a testimony to ADFCA's successful efforts at being recognized as a competent food safety authority on par with the best in the world on the other. "Al Saadi's achievement is unique in the sense that, to the best of our knowledge, he is the only UAE national to have been granted the much valued CFS certification, a global benchmark for individual competence, knowledge and skills in the food sciences. I am confident that his knowledge and experience will add much value to ADFCA's constant pursuit of better food safety for the people of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi."
Al Saadi was honored and recognized in the historic inaugural class of CFS during the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo held July 13-16, 2013. Alsaadi said it was his dedicated efforts to go ever deeper into the expanding sphere of food science that enabled him to win the rare honor. "I am delighted to have been granted the CFS certification. I want to express my deep gratitude to the leadership of my country and of ADFCA for this."
