Dubai’s dedicated biotechnology and research park DuBiotech has inked a deal to set up the first laboratory dedicated to testing Halal and the safety of consumer products in the Middle East region.

Welcoming the new laboratory, HITS, as a new business partner, Dubiotech said its launch marks a step towards the UAE government’s vision of guaranteeing safer consumer products in the country and also the GCC market.

A ceremony was held in Dubai where HITS was awarded the certification by Dubai Accreditation Center to provide quality assured testing of products such as food and cosmetics for Halal integrity and safety standards.

The laboratory will work closely with regulators such as the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) the body responsible ensuring that standards in the UAE are in line with international scientific developments, including ISO standards, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and Dubai Municipality to ensure the UAE provides its citizens with the highest quality products.

Last month, Dubai Municipality had announced plans for a new International Centre for Halal Food and Product accreditation in compliance with the Islamic law.

HITS will be part of this drive by undertaking tests for halal food and other products to ensure that they are free from any chemical or artificial additives which do not comply with Islamic Law.

The GCC food market is worth an estimated $85 billion, Muslim consumers spend over $1 trillion on food and more than $26 billion on cosmetics and personal care products worldwide. This is expected to increase to $1.6 trillion and $39 billion respectively by 2019.

Amina Ahmed Mohammed, the director of Dubai Accreditation Department and Hulusi Senturk, the president of the Turkish Standard Institution presented HITS managing director Dr Hamed Jamal and chief technical officer Dr Geetha Vasanthakumar with the official accreditation that allows testing to begin in the new laboratory facility.

Today’s event was hosted by Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, the executive director of the Tecom’s Sciences Cluster.

"I am proud to announce HITS as a new business partner, once again demonstrating our ability to draw vital technology to DuBiotech that benefits the whole community.We are proud to be contributing to the Islamic Economy by providing a platform for Halal testing and accreditation," he added.

Attracting companies such as HITS and facilitating their partnership between Esma and DAC is another example of how DuBiotech bridges the gap between the public and the private sector to support the UAE government in overcoming issues that are crucial to the residents of the UAE and beyond, said Mohammed.

“Our strategic intent is to build a sustainable business environment that fosters foreign direct investment and incubates innovation and entrepreneurship. This is very important to reduce UAE’s dependence on imported products, medicines, technology and services. This approach is also directly related to the government’s wider vision of developing a knowledge-based, sustainable and diversified economy.”

On the launch, Dr Jamal said food safety and Halal accreditation were very complex procedures but in turn, they were vital to ensure the safety of consumers using these products.

"As the first private laboratory offering this service in the region, we are proud to be part of ensuring that the products in the UAE market and beyond are as safe as they can be. We look forward to working with regulatory bodies across the UAE to further improve the standards in this area," he added.-TradeArabia News Service