The Food Safety and Quality Centre (FSQC), part of Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, has taken significant steps to enhance the country’s food safety legislative framework as part of ongoing efforts to boost food security and public health. The centre’s work aims to improve food control efficiency, raise consumer confidence, facilitate trade, and ensure the food sector adapts to evolving regional and international challenges.

Under the leadership of Dr. Intisar bint Salim al Gharibi, Director-General of the FSQC, Oman has focused on updating its food safety regulations in accordance with international best practices and current scientific standards. These initiatives are designed to help the country address new developments in food technology and emerging risks while increasing the competitiveness of national food products.

Dr. al Gharibi emphasized that the legislative reforms align with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening food security, safeguarding consumer health, and positioning Oman as a reliable player in the global food trade system. She highlighted a series of accomplishments achieved between 2023 and 2025 which have contributed to modernizing the legislative infrastructure of the country’s food safety system.

In 2023, Oman implemented a ban on the production, import, export, or marketing of food products containing the titanium dioxide additive, following scientific evidence regarding its safety. That year also saw the review of 82 draft technical regulations and national and Gulf standard specifications, alongside updates and translations of several draft specifications. The FSQC also examined eight requests to amend existing Gulf standards and regulations, thereby aligning national laws with emerging scientific and regulatory developments at the regional and global level.

Building on these efforts, 2024 was marked by the registration of new regulations governing food products and their advertising or promotion, which strengthened proactive oversight to ensure accurate consumer information. During this period, the centre reviewed 66 draft regulations and standards, updated and translated eight draft specifications, and studied additional requests to amend Gulf standards and technical regulations.

In the most recent year, the FSQC evaluated 48 draft technical regulations and national and Gulf standards, updated and adopted eight new specifications, and assessed six requests for technical amendments. The centre also distributed 232 standard specifications to relevant departments across Oman’s governorates to support consistent implementation of food safety measures.

These ongoing regulatory enhancements reflect Oman’s commitment to continuously developing a flexible and integrated legislative framework that meets international standards and responds effectively to the food safety challenges facing the country and the region.