JCC says food ‘safe, high quality’

AMMAN — Food in Jordan is “safe and of high quality”, said the representative of the foodstuff sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Raed Hamadeh, adding that food is imported from countries that impose strict control measures over food exports, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. اضافة اعلان

In a statement on Saturday, Hamadeh said that Jordanian authorities are monitoring imported foodstuffs to ensure their compliance with Jordanian specifications and standards.

He said that all food products in Jordan undergo lab tests and strict monitoring at the border crossings to ensure their adherence to Jordanian and international technical rules.

Hamadeh said that the local market offers a large variety of food items for sale from many global origins, while Jordan-made food products reach international markets because of their high quality and competitive pricing.

The Kingdom’s foodstuff imports stand at nearly $4 billion annually, he said, adding that local products are manufactured in large quantities which requires effort, expertise and funding to reach consumers.

Hamadeh said local food importers and manufacturers supply both the military and civilian consumer, where lab checks are conducted again to ensure their quality and safety.

Hamadeh called for developing a food sector strategy through a public private partnership (PPP), to address the obstacles and challenges faced, and enhance investments in the sector, denouncing attempts to question food safety in the Kingdom.

He noted the commercial and industrial sectors’ role in maintaining Jordan’s stock of food and basic commodities, adding that prices were stable locally despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The food sector constitutes approximately 30 percent of the trade sector’s volume, with more than 70,000 establishments countrywide employing 250,000 workers.

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