SARA ALZAABI (AL AIN REGION)
Abu Dhabi’s poultry sector is raising the bar on quality, with producers ramping up efforts to exceed standard compliance levels.
This emerging culture of continuously elevating quality standards has given rise to a premium food conformity scheme, according to Bader Khamis Alshemaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Services Sector at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC).
On the second day of the Emirates Agricultural Conference and Exhibition, Alshemaili led a discussion on the ‘Premium Food Mark Scheme’, which focuses on recognizing producers who exceed expectations.
“All products must comply with national standards; however, some producers have the capability to go beyond these requirements,” Alshemaili said.
Some would ask: “I am compliant with the standard, but I have the capability to exceed it. How can I be distinguished?” That’s where the scheme becomes a differentiating factor.
The Premium Food Mark is not just some fancy stamp, Alshemaili clarified. It reflects real quality, with stricter requirements applied across all stages of production.
The discussion highlighted the application of the Abu Dhabi Premium Mark conformity scheme specifically for locally produced chilled chicken meat.
The system covers the entire value chain, from poultry farming and feed management to processing, packaging, and distribution. It also includes strict criteria on animal welfare, food safety, sustainability, and product quality.
The initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and enhance the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s poultry sector. It also encourages producers to adopt international best practices.
In this scheme, monitoring quality is key to reliability. “From day one until the end of the certification period, compliance is continuously verified,” Alshemaili said, adding that the programme is developed in collaboration with key entities.