Under the
Patronage of National Beverage Company and Al-Tayf Company
Palestinian Consumer Protection Association Organizes Workshop “Where Does Food Safety Stand?” with the Participation of the Minister of Health, Experts, and Academics
Ramallah – June 7, 2026
The Palestinian Consumer
Protection Association, under the patronage of the National Beverage Company
and Al-Tayf Dairy and Food Products Company, organized a specialized workshop
in Ramallah entitled “Where Does Food Safety Stand?”, coinciding with
the celebration of World Food Safety Day 2026, held this year under the
theme: “From Measuring the Burden to Implementing Solutions – Safe Food
Everywhere.”
The workshop was organized as
part of national efforts to strengthen the food safety system in Palestine,
highlight the growing challenges facing the sector, and emphasize the
importance of coordinated efforts among government institutions, the private sector,
academic institutions, and consumers to ensure the availability of safe food
for Palestinian citizens.
The event was attended by H.E.
Dr. Majed Abu Ramadan, Palestinian Minister of Health, alongside
representatives of the food manufacturing sector, academics and specialists
from Palestinian universities, experts in quality and food safety, and
representatives of relevant governmental bodies.
The workshop featured an opening session with the participation of the Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Consumer Protection Association, and representatives of the food industry sector. This was followed by specialized sessions addressing the role of government institutions in food safety, the contributions of academic institutions to advancing knowledge and scientific research related to food safety, and the role of regulatory authorities in strengthening oversight systems and relevant legislation.
The workshop also included
awareness materials and specialized presentations highlighting the latest food
safety practices and standards, as well as the key challenges facing supply
chains, storage, and food handling processes until products reach consumers.
In his remarks, Dr. Majed Abu
Ramadan, Palestinian Minister of Health, stressed that food safety is a
fundamental pillar of public health. He emphasized the importance of
strengthening oversight and cooperation among all relevant stakeholders to
ensure the provision of safe and healthy food for citizens. He noted that the
Ministry continues to work closely with all partners to further develop the
food control system and enhance measures aimed at protecting consumer health.
For his part, Salah Haniyeh,
Chairman of the Palestinian Consumer Protection Association, emphasized that
food safety is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among government
institutions, the private sector, academic bodies, and consumers. He
highlighted the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms, develop legislation,
support laboratories, and provide the necessary resources to ensure access to
safe and healthy food for Palestinian consumers.
Meanwhile, Dr. Saeed Dweikat,
representative of the Food Industries Union, noted that investments in the
Palestinian food industry sector have exceeded USD 1 billion, employing
approximately 22,000 workers directly and encompassing nearly 2,300
food establishments. He added that Palestinian food products are exported
to more than 70 countries worldwide.
Dr. Dweikat called on the
relevant authorities to apply the same standards and requirements to imported
products as those imposed on Palestinian products, thereby ensuring fair
competition and enhanced consumer protection.
In her speech, Dr. Nada
Naeimeh, Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab Consumer Protection Union and
President of the Lebanese Consumer Protection Association, emphasized that food
safety is both a food security and public health issue. She called for greater
adoption of modern technologies in food control systems, including traceability
systems throughout supply chains, the use of artificial intelligence and
Internet of Things (IoT) applications, as well as the development of national
legislation and increased consumer awareness, recognizing consumers as
essential partners in the food safety system.
Mr. Imad Hindi, General
Manager of the National Beverage Company and Al-Tayf Dairy and Food Products
Company, stated:
"We are proud to sponsor
this workshop, which serves as a national platform bringing together various
stakeholders working in the field of food safety. We firmly believe that
providing safe food for Palestinian consumers is a shared responsibility that
requires cooperation among the public and private sectors, academic
institutions, and regulatory bodies."
He added:
"Our sponsorship of this
event reflects our commitment to implementing the highest standards of quality
and food safety, while supporting national efforts aimed at raising awareness
of food safety and strengthening Palestine’s food safety and regulatory
systems."
At the conclusion of the
workshop, participants stressed the importance of continuing coordination among
all stakeholders, enhancing public awareness of food safety issues, and
developing policies and procedures that protect consumer health and strengthen
food security in Palestine.
