Abu Dhabi introduces premium certification for chilled chicken products
Programme focuses on quality control, animal welfare, sustainability, and consumer safety
UAE – The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority have introduced a Premium Food Mark for locally produced chilled chicken products as part of a wider effort to tighten food quality standards in the United Arab Emirates.
The certification programme was announced during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 exhibition and forms part of Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living Strategy, which aims to improve food safety measures while increasing the competitiveness of domestic food manufacturers.
According to the authorities, the new framework applies stricter technical and operational requirements for chilled poultry products than the baseline standards currently used in the UAE market.
Production and quality standards
The programme covers the full poultry production chain, including farming methods, feed management, slaughtering procedures, processing operations, packaging, storage, and product distribution, while also introducing additional requirements related to sustainability practices and animal welfare.
In addition, the system includes a grading structure that classifies certified products into different quality levels, helping consumers identify products that meet higher production standards.
Officials stated that producers seeking certification will undergo conformity assessments and continuous monitoring procedures designed to verify compliance with the programme’s requirements over time.
H.E. Engineer Bader Alshemaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Sector at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, said the initiative is intended to support the country’s food security plans and improve the position of locally manufactured poultry products in domestic and export markets.
He added that the programme is expected to encourage food manufacturers to adopt updated production practices while improving efficiency across poultry supply chains in Abu Dhabi.
Focus on food security
Meanwhile, H.E. Dr Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of the Healthy Living Sector, said the certification scheme is linked to ongoing efforts to provide consumers with clearer product information and wider food choices while supporting local food production.
Dr Sayed Essam Al Hashmi, Acting Executive Director of the Development and Innovation Sector at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said the Premium Food Mark was developed jointly by government agencies and is intended to create a structured framework for poultry producers operating in the emirate.
He stated that the initiative is designed to encourage producers to introduce updated technologies and production systems that improve operational performance and product quality across the poultry sector.
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council also said the programme is expected to support local food manufacturers seeking access to regional and international markets while increasing investor interest in the UAE food industry.
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