Food Control Department Approval

Introduction to DFCD

The Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD) is the Emirates Authority for food regulation and Control. It is responsible for ensuring that food produced, imported, and exported in the UAE is safe and meets international standards.

The DFCD was established in 2003 by a decree of the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Its responsibilities include issuing food safety regulations, monitoring compliance with these regulations, conducting food safety audits, investigating foodborne illness outbreaks, and providing educational outreach on food safety issues.

The DFCD is headed by a director general who reports to the Dubai Executive Council. It has a staff of over 400 employees, including inspectors, veterinarians, food scientists, and support staff.

The DFCD’s mandate is to protect public health by ensuring that food products are safe and meet international standards. The department carries out this mandate through several activities, including:

Regulating Food Production:

The DFCD sets and enforces food safety standards for all stages of food production, from farming and fishing to manufacturing and retailing. This includes setting standards for the use of pesticides, antibiotics, and other chemicals used in food production.

Inspecting Food Businesses:

The DFCD inspects all businesses that produce or sell food in Dubai to ensure they are complying with food safety regulations. This includes restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, catering companies, and manufacturers.

Investigating Foodborne Illness Outbreaks:

The DFCD works with public health professionals and healthcare providers to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks. This includes identifying the source of contamination, evaluating the causes of illness, and taking corrective measures to prevent future outbreaks.

Educating and Training:

The DFCD provides training and educational outreach on food safety issues to food business operators and consumers. This includes seminars, workshops, information leaflets, and other materials to help promote safe food handling practices.

Research and Development:

The DFCD engages in research and development activities related to food safety. This includes developing new technologies, conducting surveys, and collaborating with other government agencies on food safety initiatives.

The DFCD also works with other government agencies to ensure that food imports and exports are also safe for consumption. It is a key partner in the US-UAE bilateral food safety agreement, which was signed in May 2019.

What is Dubai’s FCD Approval?

The Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD) is the government body responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products in the emirate. All food businesses in Dubai must obtain approval from the DFCD before they can operate.

The DFCD approval process includes a review of the business’s facilities, procedures, and products to ensure that they meet all Dubai food safety requirements. Once a business is approved, it will be issued a license that must be renewed every two years.

The DFCD also conducts regular inspections of food businesses to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Businesses that do not meet these standards may be fined or have their licenses revoked.

Introduction to Selva Group

Selva Group is an authorized engineering firm that has gained recognition from the Food Control Department Dubai. Our team of experts has extensive experience in operating within safety regulations and standards to ensure customer satisfaction.

The approval by the Food Control Department Dubai is a testament to Selva Group’s commitment to maintaining high-quality service delivery. With this accreditation, customers can be assured that their projects will be completed with the utmost attention given to food safety practices.

As an authorized engineering firm approved by Food Control Department Dubai, clients can trust that all projects will meet regulatory standards and guidelines set by authorities.

Approval for a Restaurant or Cafeteria

In Dubai, opening a restaurant on your own is incredibly challenging. Setting up a business restaurant, café, or cafeteria may be quite time-consuming when applying for a license from the Dubai Food Control Department.

An authorized engineering firm, Selva Group Team, will assist you in laying up your plan so that you may quickly obtain clearance from the Dubai Food Control Department.

The following items must be addressed to obtain the restaurant’s or cafeteria’s approval:

• You must ensure that cleaning the floor and the ceiling will be simple. Light-coloured, toxic-free, fire-resistant materials should be chosen for your walls.
• A suitable drainage system must be in place in the cafeteria or restaurant. To prevent suffocation, it should also have enough ventilation.
• The pest control agreement must be properly signed by the pest control firm and displayed in the restaurant or cafeteria.
• Both the water and drainage connections must be underground. They must be hidden from the view of the visitors.
• The smoke from the restaurant must not penetrate the next-door structure. Therefore, it should be kept two meters taller than the next-door structure.
• There must be no stains on the tables, and the cafeteria or restaurant must appear clean.
• You ought to have a dedicated space in which to keep all the cleaning agents.
• To obtain the restaurant or cafeteria’s permission, all the requirements must be met.

Benefits of Receiving Dubai FCD Approval

The Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD) is responsible for regulating and inspecting food establishments in the Emirate of Dubai. DFCD approval is required for all food businesses operating in Dubai, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, caterers, and manufacturers.

DFCD approval ensures that food businesses meet the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. These standards protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and other health hazards. DFCD approval also gives customers peace of mind that they are patronizing safe and reputable businesses.

There are many benefits to receiving DFCD approval:

• Establishments with DFCD approval are more likely to pass routine inspections by the department and avoid fines or closure.
• Customers are more likely to visit and patronize establishments that have been approved by the DFCD.
• Businesses with DFCD approval can use the department’s logo on their marketing materials, which conveys a message of quality and trustworthiness to potential customers.
• Approved establishments receive regular training and updates on changes to food safety regulations, ensuring that they are always up to date on the latest requirements.
• Passing a DFCD inspection demonstrates to the community that businesses are committed to providing safe and healthy food.

Documentation Requirements

To obtain approval from the Dubai Food Control Department, businesses must submit a complete and accurate application, as well as documentation that meets the department’s requirements.

The specific documentation needed will vary depending on the type of business but may include things like a trade license, food safety certificate, and insurance documents. Once the department has all the required information, it will review the application and decide on whether or not to approve the business.

DFCA Inspection Process

The Dubai Food Control Authority (DFCA) is responsible for approving food businesses in the Emirate of Dubai. All food businesses must ensure that their products and services meet the requirements of the DFCA before they can commence operations.

The DFCA inspection process is designed to assess whether a food business is compliant with the authority’s regulations. The process involves an initial assessment of the business, followed by an on-site inspection.

During the on-site inspection, DFCA inspectors will assess the premises, facilities, and processes of the business. They will also interview employees and review documents to ensure that the business is complying with all relevant regulations.

Once the inspection is complete, the DFCA will provide a report detailing their findings. If any non-compliances are found, the business will be required to corrective action.

Once corrective action has been taken, the DFCA will re-inspect the premises to verify that compliance has been achieved. Only when the DFCA is satisfied that the business is compliant with all regulations will approval be granted.

Types of FCD Approval 

The Food Control Department in Dubai is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products in the Emirate. The department approval is required for all food businesses operating in Dubai, including restaurants, catering companies, supermarkets, and food manufacturers.

There are three types of approval available from the Food Control Department:

Standard approval:

This type of approval is suitable for small businesses with simple operations. It covers all basic requirements for food safety and quality control.

Comprehensive approval:

This type of approval is suitable for businesses with more complex operations. It covers all requirements of the standard approval, plus additional requirements such as HACCP certification.

Specialized approval:

This type of approval is required for businesses handling special categories of food such as live animals, processed meat, or dairy products.

Types of Foods and Products Inspected 

The Dubai Food Control Department inspects a variety of food and products to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. This includes inspecting:

-Fresh fruits and vegetables

-Meat, poultry, and fish

-Dairy products

-Prepared foods

-Food ingredients and additives

-Packaged food products

-Beverages

-Cosmetics and personal care products

-Animal and veterinary drugs

-Pesticides

-Kitchen and catering equipment

-Cooking oil containers

-Livestock feed

Types of Facilities Covered 

The Dubai Food Control Department approval covers a wide range of food-related establishments, from restaurants and cafes to supermarkets and wholesale food stores. All food businesses in Dubai must comply with the strict regulations set by the department to operate legally.

The approval process can be divided into two main types: registration and licensing. Registration is required for all food businesses, regardless of size or type. Licensing, on the other hand, is only necessary for certain types of establishments, such as those that serve alcohol or prepare hazardous foods.

To register a food business in Dubai, the owner must apply a form to the department along with supporting documents such as the trade license and lease agreement. Once the registration is approved, the business will be issued a certificate that must be displayed prominently on the premises.

Licensed food businesses in Dubai are subject to additional rules and regulations, including regular inspections by the department. The license itself must be renewed every year, and failure to do so can result in hefty fines or even closure of the establishment.

Whether you are just starting out or are already running a successful food business in Dubai, it is important to make sure that you are familiar with the approval process and requirements set by the Dubai Food Control Department.

Health and Safety Guidelines

The Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD) is responsible for Approved food businesses in the Emirate of Dubai. The DFCD has a few simple Health and Safety Guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of all customers:

1. All food businesses must be registered with the DFCD.
2. All food businesses must have a valid UAE trade license.
3. All food businesses must have appropriate liability insurance.
4. All food businesses must have a Food Safety Management System in place that is approved by the DFCD.
5. All food businesses must comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to food safety and hygiene.
6. All food businesses must maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene at all times.
7. All food businesses must properly label all foods with accurate ingredient lists, nutrition information, and allergen warnings as required by law

Food and Hygiene Regulations

The Dubai Food Control Department (DFCD) is the regulatory authority responsible for ensuring that food safety and hygiene standards are met in the emirate of Dubai.

All food businesses in Dubai are required to be registered with the DFCD and to obtain approval from the department before commencing operations. The DFCD has a set of food and hygiene regulations that all food businesses must comply with.

These regulations cover all aspects of food preparation, handling, storage, and transportation. All food businesses must have a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in place that meets the requirements of the DFCD.

The FSMS must be regularly audited by an accredited third-party organization to ensure compliance with the DFCD regulations. Food businesses are also required to have a HACCP plan in place. The DFCD conducts regular inspections of food businesses to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Any non-compliant business will be issued with a notice of violation and given a deadline to rectify the issue. Failure to do so may result in further enforcement action being taken, including suspension or cancellation of the business license.

Role of the DM in Regulating Food Safety

The Dubai Municipality is responsible for regulating food safety in the Emirate of Dubai. The Municipality’s Food Control Department is charged with ensuring that food establishments comply with food safety standards and conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance.

The department also issues licenses to food businesses and provides training on food safety principles. The Dubai Municipality has established a set of regulations for food businesses operating in the Emirate, to which these businesses must adhere to maintain their license.’

These regulations cover all aspects of food safety, from storage and preparation to packaging and labeling. Businesses that do not comply with these regulations can be fined or have their license revoked. The municipality also works to raise awareness of food safety among the public.

It offers public workshops on safe food handling pracon safeties and runs campaigns to promote healthy eating habits. The municipality also operates a hotline for residents to report suspected cases of food poisoning or other Food Safety concerns.

The Selva Group Team is aware that getting a service approved in Dubai may be a difficult endeavor for new investors and regular individuals. Our team is made up of incredibly knowledgeable employees that communicate the precise details of the endorsement process to the clients.

We assist our clients by providing clear and concise explanations so they can receive approvals without any problem. For the best services in Dubai, get in touch with us. We’ll be pleased to help you at any time.