The launch of the Food Additives Safety Summit in the Sultanate of Oman Jointly Organized by GSO and the USDA

The activities of the Food Additive Safety Summit were launched today Monday, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman.

The event is hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, and runs for 15-16 May 2023 in Muscat. It is organized by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), the US Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture (USDA), Michigan University (MSU), Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, in cooperation with the American Chamber in Dubai, the Center for Food Safety and Quality, and the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology in the Sultanate of Oman.

In the opening session, His Excellency the President of GSO expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources for his sponsorship and patronizing the opening session of the summit, which was also attended by the Deputy of the American Mission in the Sultanate of Oman, the Agricultural Attaché at the American Embassy in Riyadh, the Director General of the Food Safety and Quality Center and a large number of officials, specialists  and  participants from the national standardization bodies of GSO member states.

His Excellency stressed that the organization of the summit reflects the international and regional interest in harmonizing standards and technical regulations related to food additives, and coordination between the concerned authorities to achieve this objective.

As well as activating the partnership between the public and private sectors to develop and strengthen the food safety and quality system, and highlight the procedures and data requirements for the approval of food additives.

His Excellency pointed out that GSO places the food sector at the top of its priorities and technical plans, as this sector represents a vital importance related to the health and safety of consumers in the member states. He said, “There is no doubt that the issue of food additives and ensuring their safety and integrity for the consumer is of prime importance at the Gulf, regional and global levels, and GSO spares no effort in the continuous development of its standards with cooperation of the standardization bodies in the member states and the concerned authorities, and with participation and contribution of the stakeholders in the member States and their local and external partners, in a way that effectively contributes to the implementation of GSO’s plan and directions and implements its strategies and serves the member States and meets their needs in terms of the required technical regulations.”

He added, “GSO stresses the importance of the safety and quality of food products, and hence it has issued 1963 unified Gulf standards and technical regulations in the food and agricultural sector. Specialized technical committees have been formed to deal with standards for food products, agriculture, halal and its services. GSO works closely with the relevant international and regional organizations to enhance cooperation and coordination in the field of technical regulations and standards for food products and to ensure their safety and quality.

His Excellency, Mr. Al Khusaibi, indicated that GSO launched the initiative for the participation of stakeholders in the development of Gulf standards and technical regulations, from government agencies, the industrial, commercial and service sectors, the main users sector, universities and other academic bodies, as well as the chambers of commerce and industry, stemming from its keenness on the participation of the public and private sectors of the member states in the work of the Gulf technical committees and their contribution to the preparation of Gulf standards and technical regulations and providing GSO with their comments and remarks in this connection, including the food sector.

He stated that the organization of this summit represents an open opportunity for governmental specialists, private sectors, stakeholders and experts to exchange views on global, regional and national knowledge, experiences, and practices on food additives, and to discuss proposals on how to enhance scientific and technical cooperation and participation with the relevant authorities. The event also represents a platform for stakeholders and partners from the public and private sectors to meet with specialists and learn about the new developments in food additives, and the relevant standards and technical regulations.

In conclusion, His Excellency Al-Khasibi thanked the organizing authorities, experts, specialists and the Organizing Committee team for their outstanding efforts in organizing the Food Additive Safety Summit.