IGCF 2025: Key drivers of food security highlighted

Government communication as a driver of food sustainability

In a session titled “Government Communication and Sustainable Food Security”, Sheikha Najla Ali Al Mualla, Director of the Central Laboratories Department at Sharjah Municipality; His Excellency Rashid Abdullah Bin Huwaiden, Executive Director of the Supply Chain Sector at Sharjah Cooperative Society; and His Excellency Mustafa Al Husseini, General Manager of Golden Loaf Est (Sharjah), agreed that government communication is a cornerstone of food sustainability helping to attract agricultural investments, drive innovation, and build partnerships that safeguard the future of coming generations.

Three pillars of food security: Safety, sufficiency, and health

Opening the discussion, Sheikha Najla Ali Al Mualla stressed that food security rests on three essential pillars: safety, sufficiency, and health. “These elements, when interconnected, create a comprehensive and sustainable food system,” she said.

Sheikha Najla explained that Sharjah Municipality plays a pivotal role in monitoring the food chain “from the soil in which seeds are planted to the product reaching the consumer” through rigorous monitoring systems, laboratory analysis, and strict standards.

Commitment to global food safety standards

She also highlighted the municipality’s longstanding commitment to quality: “The Central Laboratories Department, one of the oldest in the municipality, has held the United Kingdom Accreditation Service certification for more than 25 years, reflecting our adherence to the highest international standards.”

Sheikha Najla further discussed the Sharjah Food Safety Initiative, which has trained over 140,000 people working in food establishments and productive families. “The programme was recognised in 2015 by the World Health Organisation as a global success story, the first of its kind in the Arab world.”

Supply chain resilience and technological innovation

His Excellency Rashid Abdullah Bin Huwaiden underlined the critical role of supply chains, calling them “the backbone of the food security system”. “Diversifying import sources gives us greater flexibility to deliver high-quality products to consumers quickly. Most importantly, we do not depend on just one country; we diversify to ensure the sustainability of supplies,” he said.

He also highlighted the Sharjah Cooperative Society’s significant investment in digital transformation. “Our electronic system today can implement plans and predict future needs by analysing sales and import data. It also provides accurate suggestions on pricing and practices tailored for each region in the emirate,” he said.

Community-centric food production: A legacy of service

Concluding the session, His Excellency Mustafa Al Husseini reflected on the journey of the Golden Loaf Est (Sharjah), established in 1979. “For decades, our goal has been to serve the community. We have consistently offered a wide range of products that meet the needs of different groups in society. Today, we focus on producing bread tailored to specific consumer segments,” he said.

Despite shifting market conditions and the rise of online sales, Al Husseini emphasised that the entity has remained committed to its goal of producing nutritious, affordable bread that balances tradition with innovation.