Ministry of Public Health commences transfer of food safety mandates to General Authority for Food Safety

Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud has announced that the Ministry is transferring food safety mandates, functions and responsibilities to the newly established General Authority for Food Safety. This move follows the issuance of Amiri Decision No. 41 of 2026, which created the Authority. The transition aims to bolster Qatar's comprehensive national food safety system, improve regulatory effectiveness and efficiency, and ensure uninterrupted service delivery to the public during the shift.

His Excellency Al Mahmoud expressed deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, for his ongoing patronage and support of the nation's public health system, consumer health protection, and food safety standards. He emphasized that the creation of the General Authority for Food Safety represents a critical step in advancing Qatar's food safety framework.

The General Authority for Food Safety will function as a centralized institution overseeing food safety governance, integrating previously dispersed responsibilities, and enhancing regulatory oversight. Its primary role will be to safeguard the safety and suitability of food products throughout the entire food chain. This includes strengthening the national food control mechanisms, mitigating food safety risks, and maintaining the highest standards of consumer health protection.

Ministry officials noted that the transfer process will involve close collaboration with the Authority and other stakeholders, guided by established frameworks. The goal is to execute a seamless transition, maintain uninterrupted service provision, and fulfill the objectives for which the General Authority for Food Safety was established.