DRIVING THE COLD CHAIN FOOD SAFETY NARRATIVE

The 11th Edition of the Middle East Cold Chain Food Safety Conference (Food Chain) spotlights the Dubai Food Code 2.0 and provides a platform for perspectives from Arabian Farms, Barakat and Lulu, among others. Indu Revikumar, Features Writer, Climate Control Middle East, has the story…

THE 11th edition of Food Chain (the Middle East Cold Chain Food Safety Conference), on June 15 in Dubai, spotlighted the Dubai Food Code 2.0, and enabled a collective expression of intent from government agencies, private sector enterprises, food establishments, digital technology providers and consultants. The conference witnessed insightful discussions around the latest advancements, crucial for the smooth and efficient operations of the food hygiene management and cold chain industries. It also emphasised the importance of better collaboration among stakeholders.

Brent Melvin, CEO, AI Driving Metaverse Group, and Chairperson of the conference, opened the floor to discussions that underlined the significance of collaboration among private sector enterprises, government agencies and industry professionals in ensuring the smooth and efficient flow of food from farm to table. The cold chain industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, Melvin said, thanks to innovation and technological advancements.

“We have witnessed incredible developments in the utilisation of artificial intelligence and other cuttingedge technologies in transportation, warehousing, logistics processing and processes,” he said. “AI-powered systems have revolutionised the monitoring and management of temperature-sensitive products, ensuring quality and safety throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, integrating advanced sensors and real-time data has enhanced the efficiency and reliability of trucks, warehouses, supermarkets and other critical components of cold chain infrastructure.”

During his opening remarks, Melvin also emphasised consumers’ high expectations in today’s fastpaced world and the emergence of the UAE and the Middle East region as vibrant and dynamic markets. He stated that the diverse and multicultural population in the Middle East region demands a wide range of products, and the UAE serves as a global hub for trade and commerce, due to its commitment to innovation and infrastructure development. Furthermore, Melvin underlined the importance of sustainability, food security and the urgent need to address the issue of food waste. He concluded his speech by pointing out that the UAE places a strong emphasis on quality and recognises the need for collaboration and dialogue to create a more sustainable and resilient future for the food industry.

Bobby Krishna T M, Senior Specialist, Food Permits and Applied Nutrition Section, Dubai Municipality, spoke after Brent Melvin and shared an overview of Food Code 2.0 in