Qatar sets up a General Authority for Food Safety and the health ministry begins handing over its food duties
5 November 2026
Qatar has created a single regulator for food safety. Amiri Decision No. (41) of 2026, issued by Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, establishes the General Authority for Food Safety. The Ministry of Public Health has now begun the paperwork to move its food safety mandates, functions and responsibilities to the new body. The ministry says the aim is one institution for food safety governance, instead of duties spread across several offices. The Authority is to keep food fit for human consumption at every stage of the food chain and to strengthen the national food control system. Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud thanked the Amir for backing the public health system. The ministry says services will not be interrupted while the transfer is completed.
In plain words
Amiri Decision A decision issued by the Amir of Qatar — Qatar's head of state issues decrees and decisions that take effect on issuance and are published in the official gazette.
MOPH Ministry of Public Health — Qatar's health ministry, which held the food safety mandate before the new Authority.