Abu Dhabi Establishes Unified Framework for Safe Fumigation of Stored Food Products

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council adopts comprehensive guidelines to standardise fumigation practices, protecting workers, enhancing food safety and safeguarding the emirate's strategic reserves.

The preservation of stored food products demands precision, rigour and an unwavering commitment to safety. In recognition of these imperatives, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, through its Standards Technical Committee for Abu Dhabi Technical Standards, has adopted a unified guideline to standardise safe fumigation practices across the emirate, establishing clear protocols for protecting grains, wheat and flour from pest infestation and deterioration.

Fumigation remains a critical method for controlling insects and pests that compromise food quality during storage, yet the use of specialised fumigants carries significant occupational and environmental considerations. The newly adopted framework addresses these challenges through a comprehensive set of technical requirements and safety measures. The guideline establishes clear roles and responsibilities for relevant entities and facilities, delineating safety protocols, training requirements, evacuation procedures and gas monitoring standards that substantially reduce the hazards associated with highly toxic fumigant use.

As Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its alternative protein ecosystem and advance novel food technologies through rigorous scientific evaluation, these fumigation standards represent a complementary commitment to food safety at every stage of production and storage. The framework reinforces coordination among government entities through standardised procedures, thereby enhancing operational efficiency whilst protecting the emirate’s strategic food reserve.

Badr Khamis Al Shumaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Services Sector at ADQCC, characterised the guideline as a clear reference point that supports the application of legislative requirements and safe practices, strengthening integration among government bodies to safeguard food safety and public health.

Dr. Faisal Al Ahbabi, Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, emphasised that the guideline defines preventive and technical requirements for fumigant use whilst reducing associated health, occupational and environmental risks. The measure protects workers and the community whilst enhancing food security across the emirate.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The adoption of standardised fumigation guidelines strengthens Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive approach to food safety and security. By establishing unified technical requirements and safety procedures, the framework ensures that the emirate’s strategic food reserves remain protected from pest damage whilst maintaining the highest occupational and environmental safety standards. This initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to safeguarding public health through integrated governance and coordinated action among relevant authorities.

The guideline also positions the emirate as a centre of excellence in food safety management, complementing existing regulatory frameworks that advance alternative protein development and novel food technologies. Together, these measures demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s sophisticated approach to ensuring food security, protecting worker wellbeing and supporting sustainable growth in the food and agriculture sectors.

Source: WAM