Dubai Municipality will showcase its efforts to create a sustainable food system in Dubai while enhancing food safety at Gulfood 2024, one of the largest food and beverage exhibitions to be held from February 19-23 at Dubai World Trade Centre, a report said.

The event, which is set to host over 5,500 exhibitors, is an annual forum for sharing expertise and knowledge in the field to gain a comprehensive understanding of global and future trends, latest industry developments, production, circulation and food and beverages, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said.

Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “During our participation at Gulfood Exhibition, we will showcase our efforts in guaranteeing food safety and quality as well as our cutting-edge digital services that facilitate import, export, and registration operations for food products and shipments.

“These digital services contribute to enhancing the availability of flexible, sustainable, and integrated food supply chains. It also enhances our efforts in educating food enterprises, traders, and suppliers about the most recent safety standards, food specifications, and environmental sustainability, thereby ensuring their implementation.”

Dubai Food Systems Excellence Programme, the most recent initiative to recognise the best food establishments in the application of integrated standards of food safety, nutrition, environmental sustainability, community responsibility, digitisation, and innovation, will be reviewed by the municipality at Gulfood.

The programme’s objectives include consolidating Dubai's position as a major hub for global trade, encouraging food businesses to distinguish themselves, as well as upholding a sustainable system of food, health, and environment to improve the quality of life.

Additionally, it targets food outlets in the Emirate of Dubai that are classified as restaurants and snack preparation facilities, including local restaurants and cafeterias in hotels and public places.

Dubai Municipality will further review its services for food merchants and suppliers, which offers them access to IRS to streamline import and export procedures and track food products.

In addition, the municipality will also promote practices that minimise food loss and waste in the emirate during its participation at the event, in addition to increasing customer understanding of the regulations, processes, and transactions associated with food shipments.