Weaknesses in the Implementation of Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) at the Level of Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

By



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support this research study would not have been possible.



DECLARATION

I adjudge that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion.

Signed __________________ Date _________________



ABSTRACT

In this research study, the possibility of the implementation of RASFF in GCC has been analyzed and discussed. For that, mixed methodology was used. After the interview and questionnaire responses it was apart from all the barriers and weaknesses, RASFF can be implemented in GCC. There are many weaknesses and barriers that hinder the implementation of RASFF in GCC countries, like, trade tariffs etc but GCC countries are going to implement a new food alert system for ensuring the full security from the food ahardz that may be found in the imported food products.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONSVII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Research1

Food hazards1

Food hazards and GCC Government5

RASFF6

Research aims and objectives6

Aims6

Objectives6

Research Question6

Dissertation layout7

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW8

RASFF8

Food alert system and GCC Countries11

Malnutrition: A Persistent Challenge to Food Security13

Micronutrient Deficiencies14

Globalization and Food Contamination15

Epidemiology of Food borne Illness18

Biological and Environmental Factors19

Technological Factors20

Demographic Factors21

Food borne Illness and High-Risk Populations22

Food hazards and Food Risks25

Summary27

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY29

Design and Methodology29

Primary Research Methods30

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Method31

Selection of Participants37

Instrument38

Data preparation and statistical procedures38

Reliability and Validity38

Measures of Validity39

Measures of Reliability40

Researcher Bias40

Literature Search41

Keywords Used41

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION42

Introduction42

Analysis of Questionnaire Responses42

Analysis of the interview responses51

Discussion58

Analysis of the literature review59

Food security in GCC59

Weaknesses in implementing the RASFF in GCC countries60

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS62

Recommendations65

REFERENCES67

APPENDIX72

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Rasff: Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council

BMI: Body mass index

UNICEF: United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

SFDA: Saudi Food and Drug Authority

RAPEX: Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Consumer Products

INFOSAN: International Food Safety Authorities Network

WHO: world health organization

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

Food hazards

Consumers in the food regime have been constructed by agro food corporations to desire first standard foods, and then exotic foods from the entire globe. Yet contradictions have emerged in the sphere of consumption. Poverty limits access to food and demand for the products of the agro food economy. In the poorest part of the world, arid the poorest populations of rich countries; many are forced to withdraw from commodity relations into self-provisioning and informal networks (Widdowson Sulka Bulens Beard Chaves Hammond Salehi Swanson Totaro Woron Mead Bresee Monroe Glass 2005, 95). At the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) World Food Summit in Rome, 186 states officially recognized that, despite the increasing amount of food produced by industrial agriculture, food insecurity is a pre eminent problem both globally and within each state.

Food hazards, according to the FAO, “exists when alt people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food ...