The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has officially introduced the Food Safety Rating Programme for food establishments across Qatar. The initiative aims to strengthen compliance with food safety regulations and provide consumers with transparency on the hygiene standards of various establishments. Ratings are determined through periodic inspections, offering the public a clear assessment of adherence to health guidelines.
Under the programme, food establishments are categorized into six rating levels: Urgent Improvement Necessary, Major Improvement Necessary, Improvement Necessary, Good, Very Good, and Excellent. These classifications are published on the “Watheq” electronic food safety system, where consumers can access them, while businesses can also display their ratings on-site.
Phased Implementation and Progress
The programme is being rolled out in three phases. The first two, already in effect, cover hotels, restaurants in tourist areas, and shopping malls. The third phase, set to begin in the third quarter of this year, will extend to all other food establishments that provide direct food services. As of 16 February 2025, a total of 1,284 establishments have been classified.
During the official launch event, Wasan Abdulla Al Baker, Director of the Food Safety Department at MoPH, honored 51 establishments that achieved “Excellent” and “Very Good” ratings, commending their commitment to food safety.
Key Stakeholders and Programme Goals
The event, held at the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC), was attended by representatives from multiple ministries, regulatory bodies, and the private sector, including:
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI)
- Ministry of Municipality (Albaladiya)
- Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)
- Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI)
- Qatar Tourism (QT)
- Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (QGOSM)
- Qatar University (QU)
- Owners of restaurants and hotels involved in the first phase
In her opening remarks, Wasan Al Baker highlighted the programme’s role in ensuring food safety aligns with international standards, reinforcing consumer confidence and protecting public health. She emphasized that transparency and accountability are central to the initiative, helping consumers make informed choices while encouraging establishments to maintain high food safety standards.
“The programme is one of the key mechanisms adopted by the Ministry’s Food Safety Department to ensure safe food for all residents and prevent foodborne illnesses,” she noted. “We hope this classification system will drive continuous improvement in food safety compliance.”
Inspection and Compliance Mechanism
Mubarak Al Naemi, Head of the Environmental Health Section at MoPH, delivered a presentation outlining the programme’s development, implementation, and how food establishments can benefit from it.
The rating system is based on a risk-based inspection approach, developed in collaboration with international experts. Each registered food establishment undergoes a minimum of three inspections, with additional visits conducted to ensure continued compliance.
A two-year field study was conducted before finalizing the programme’s design, ensuring that Qatar’s food safety regulations align with global best practices.
(Source: The Peninsula)
