According to Qatar Tribune, the Ministry of Public Health has launched a comprehensive five-year action plan to monitor and mitigate food contaminants. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Global Food Safety Strategy 2022-2030, developed by the World Health Organization, aiming to reduce the impact of foodborne diseases.
The ministry stated that implementation began in early 2024 with an in-depth analysis of food monitoring data collected in 2023-2024. The Food Safety Department examined over 30,000 samples taken from regulatory authorities, alongside 400,000 test results, to prioritize monitoring and control measures for potential contaminants in Qatar’s food supply.
As part of the plan, a monitoring report on pesticide residues in imported and locally grown vegetables and fruits was compiled in collaboration with inspection departments and food safety laboratories. The findings were presented to the Food Risk Management Team, which issued recommendations for preventive measures to ensure the safety and quality of produce available in Qatar’s markets. Additionally, the plan includes monitoring salt levels in bread and microbial contaminants in fish sold in central markets.
In line with the principle that “food safety is a shared responsibility,” the Food Safety Department has also partnered with the Ministry of Municipality to oversee veterinary drug residues in slaughtered animals. A survey launched in December is being carried out in two phases:
- Phase One (Three Months): Covers commercial slaughterhouses such as Al Wakra Central Slaughterhouse, Umm Salal, and Al Khor Slaughterhouses.
- Phase Two (Three Months): Expands monitoring to private slaughterhouses.
Food risk surveillance follows international best practices, incorporating a risk analysis approach where management decisions are guided by scientific data derived from monitoring programs. These monitoring and surveillance systems serve as a first line of defense, enabling early detection of risks, rapid response, and effective management of food-related incidents.
Periodic updates are also made to precautionary measures for foodborne diseases such as avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and mad cow disease. These updates are conducted through a joint team from the Food Safety Department and the Ministry of Municipality’s Animal Wealth Department, based on epidemiological data from the World Organization for Animal Health.
Ensuring food safety requires ongoing improvements in technical capabilities to track, analyze, and mitigate risks. The ministry remains committed to strengthening monitoring and surveillance systems to protect public health and maintain high food safety standards across Qatar.
