Health ministry launches new electronic system for food labs

The Ministry of Public Health announced Tuesday the actual start of using the electronic programme of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in central food laboratories, which will allow the exchange of information on food analysis electronically, as is the case in the prestigious international laboratories.

This programme is implemented through an electronic system marked by the ability to manage information related to analysing food samples from the first stage of receiving samples until transferring them to the departments concerned with high accuracy and effectiveness.

The electronic programme also automates workflow tasks and specifies standard tools and methods to be followed, in addition to managing and controlling the movement of sample analysis and related information as well as ensuring the attainment of more accurate and faster results and facilitating the task of tracking data sequentially over time and across experiments to improve efficiency.

This new programme is one of three interconnected programmes that have been in operation for about a year, namely the electronic food control system for local foods, and the imported and exported food control system, which is expected to be completed soon.

The three programmes are linked to each other, in addition to linking them with other relevant electronic systems in the country such as the single window system (Al Nadeeb) to form a whole tight food control system that guarantees the highest possible level of food safety through tracking it from the country of origin until delivery to the consumer.