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.
