MUSCAT : Represented by its Directorate General in South Al Batinah, the ministry issued permits for 71 warehouses as part of implementing accreditation requirements. The approvals were distributed across the governorate, with 63 warehouses in the Wilayat of Barka, six in Al Musannah, and one each in Nakhl and Wadi Al Maawil.

In parallel, efforts to enhance quality standards saw 54 facilities qualify for ISO quality management system certification, reflecting a broader push toward improved operational practices in the food and logistics sectors.

Engineer Yousef bin Hamdan Al-Ajmi, Director of the Food Safety and Quality Department, told the Oman News Agency that specialists conducted around 178 field visits over the past year. These inspections covered a wide range of establishments, including water bottling plants, bakeries, farms, markets, and fish and meat shops. Of these, 48 visits were carried out jointly with other relevant authorities, reinforcing coordinated oversight.

As part of its public outreach, the governorate also marked Food Safety Week 2026 under the theme “Food Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility.” The initiative featured awareness corners in shopping centres, educational lectures in schools, and guidance for consumers on selecting and preserving safe food, including checking expiry dates and packaging integrity.

The campaign further extended to retail workers, promoting proper health practices, while school competitions were organised in collaboration with the Directorate General of Education to encourage interactive learning around food safety.

Al-Ajmi emphasised that Food Safety Week remains a key annual initiative aimed at raising community awareness and reinforcing safe practices across all stages of food handling, from production to consumption.

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