The Food Department is responsible for:

1. Protecting and promoting public health through market authorization, food safety monitoring and import and export control of:

   Food products:

• Processed food products;

• Fortified food products;

• Food supplements;

• Food additives; 

• Food fortificants; 

• Breast milk substitutes and complementary foods;

• Therapeutic and medical foods;

• Genetically modified food

Raw and packaging materials:

• Raw materials including active and inactive, used in the manufacture or processing of products regulated under the scope of Food Department;

• Packaging materials used for products regulated under the scope of Food Department;

1. Ensuring the establishment, maintenance, and regular updating of official registers of registered food products and licensed premises or other regulatory approvals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

2. Supporting post-authorization regulatory functions, including food safety monitoring and regulatory decision-making throughout the product lifecycle.

3. Ensuring evidence-based, transparent, and consistent regulatory decisions through close collaboration with other offices/departments/divisions/units including the Laboratory Services Department and Quality Management System (QMS) Division among others.

These roles and responsibilities are implemented through the following Divisions within the Food Department:

1. Food Registration and Information Control Division

2. Food Safety Monitoring, Inspection and Licensing Division

3. Food Imports and Exports Control Division

Food Registration and Information Control Division

Food Registration and Information Control Division is responsible for:

1. Conducting scientific evaluation of submitted products’ dossiers to assess quality, safety, and efficacy of the below food products prior to the granting of Marketing Authorization (MA): 

• Processed food products;

• Fortified food products;

• Food supplements;

• Food additives; 

• Food fortificants; 

• Breast milk substitutes and complementary foods;

• Therapeutic and medical foods;

• Genetically modified food

1. Coordinating with relevant technical divisions and committees to facilitate the scientific assessment and regulatory decision-making process for market authorization applications.

2. Assessing applications for variations, renewals, and other post-market authorization amendments to registered food products and making recommendations for regulatory action.

3. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of food products granted Marketing Authorization and ensuring the integrity of the official food product register.

4. Establishing and publishing a list of prohibited substances and products. 

    Food Safety Monitoring, Inspection and Licensing Division

The Food Safety Monitoring, Inspection and Licensing Division is responsible for:

1. Registering and licensing food establishments in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

2. Conducting inspections of food establishments to assess compliance with food safety requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and other applicable standards.

3. Implementing post-market surveillance activities to monitor the safety, quality, and compliance of food products placed on the market in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and/or standards.

4. Maintaining and updating regulatory records, registers, and databases relating to licensed food establishments, inspection outcomes, compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Food Import and Export Control Division 

The Food Import and Export Control Division is responsible for:

1. Receiving, evaluating, and processing applications for import and export authorizations for regulated food products under the scope of Food Department in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 

   1. Conducting inspections of consignments at points of entry and exit to verify compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements

   2. Collaborating with customs and other competent authorities to strengthen border control and facilitate the effective regulation of imported and exported regulated food products under the scope of Food Department. 

   3. Implement appropriate regulatory actions in cases of non-compliance, including detention, rejection, or seizure of consignments, to ensure that only safe, quality-assured, and authorized food products enter or leave the country.