Dubai Municipality Invites Entries For Inaugural DM Food Elite Programme

Dubai Municipality has initiated the DM Food Elite programme, a pioneering initiative aimed at recognising and honouring food establishments across the Emirate for their outstanding contributions in food safety, nutrition, sustainability, social responsibility, and innovation. This programme is designed to motivate food businesses to enhance and elevate the standard of living in Dubai by adhering to exceptional health, food safety, and sustainability standards.

Sultan Al Taher, Director of Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, highlighted that the DM Food Elite programme is a testament to the Municipality's ongoing commitment to fostering a sustainable food system in Dubai. This system not only aims to ensure excellent living standards but also aligns with international safety and sustainability standards. The initiative underscores Dubai's ambition to solidify its status as a leading global trade hub while supporting the Dubai Food Security Strategy.

The programme will spotlight food businesses across three main categories: independent dine-in restaurants, hotel restaurants, and fast-food outlets and cafeterias. These establishments will undergo a rigorous evaluation based on five key criteria: fostering a strong culture of food safety, commitment to nutrition and health, adherence to government sustainability initiatives, digital adoption, and innovation in business operations.

Al Taher elaborated on the criteria for selection, noting the importance of environmental responsibility, social impact, governance practices, management's commitment to food safety, and proactive measures across the supply chain. The emphasis will also be on technology and innovation, particularly in maintaining advanced traceability and transparency in the food supply chain, alongside leveraging data-driven insights for decision-making.

The DM Food Elite programme is now accepting submissions until 30th June 2024. Interested food establishments can register through the official link at https://dmfoodelite.dm.gov.ae. This initiative was officially launched during the 17th edition of the Dubai International Food Safety Conference held from 11th to 13th December 2023, which focused on the "Impact of Climate Change on Food Safety".

This strategic move by Dubai Municipality not only aims to elevate food safety and sustainability practices among local businesses but also seeks to inspire a culture of excellence and innovation within the industry. By doing so, it contributes significantly towards enhancing Dubai's reputation as a city committed to high standards of living and sustainability.

With inputs from WAM