Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have announced the launch of a strategic initiative to develop a regulatory framework for novel foods. This move reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to leading food innovation and advancing sustainable food security across the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, the collaboration aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in food innovation by leveraging cutting-edge technologies in food production and attracting high-value investments in advanced agriculture, sustainable food systems, and biotechnology. This strategy is expected to drive economic growth, enhance food security, and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.
The new regulatory framework will establish a comprehensive, streamlined registration system for novel foods, aligning with international best practices from regions such as the UAE, GCC, EU, Singapore, and the US. This system is designed to reduce the registration period for novel foods by 6-9 months, thereby strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a competitive global hub for innovative food technologies.
The initiative seeks to unify registration requirements for new food products, halal certification, and production/import permits through a single-point contact system, simplifying procedures and accelerating market entry. A national database of approved food products will be developed, along with detailed technical and regulatory guidelines to ensure transparency and reliability.
Furthermore, the framework will introduce a science-based risk assessment approach based on the type and maturity of the applied technology, while updating the halal certification system to align with modern advancements and global benchmarks, particularly those of Malaysia and Indonesia. This alignment aims to strengthen international recognition of UAE halal certificates and boost national food export competitiveness.
Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO, emphasized the partnership’s goal to build a connected business ecosystem that combines forward-thinking regulations with Abu Dhabi’s strong investment ecosystem and solid support for technological innovation. He noted the focus on accelerating the adoption of advanced solutions such as alternative proteins and precision fermentation, reflecting the commitment to the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051.
Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director-General of ADAFSA, stated that the regulatory framework for novel foods embodies Abu Dhabi’s commitment to adopting the highest global standards for food safety and innovation. This enhances the readiness of the regulatory ecosystem to embrace emerging technologies such as cultivated proteins and precision fermentation-based foods.
Fahad Gharib Al Shamsi, Acting Secretary-General of QCC, highlighted the Council’s commitment to supporting the industrial and regulatory sectors through robust quality infrastructure services. These services ensure product conformity, particularly halal products, to the highest safety and quality standards. He mentioned ongoing efforts to enable manufacturers to obtain halal certifications, thus strengthening their competitiveness and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a trusted regional hub in this field.
This initiative exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s integrated approach to collaboration among regulatory, investment, and scientific entities, creating a unified national ecosystem that accelerates the transition toward a safe, sustainable, and innovation-driven food future, cementing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in global food innovation.