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FSSC 22000 Certification in UAE — GFSI Recognised Food Safety System Certification for Global Markets
FSSC 22000 certification UAE is the Global Food Safety Initiative recognised food safety certification scheme required by the world’s largest food retailers, international food manufacturers and global supply chain buyers. For UAE food manufacturers, processors and exporters targeting Carrefour, Lulu, international supermarket chains, multinational food brands and export markets across Europe, North America and Asia — FSSC 22000 is the food safety credential that opens every door that HACCP and ISO 22000 alone cannot. Emarati Consultancy guides UAE food businesses through FSSC 22000 implementation and certification — from gap analysis to GFSI recognised certificate.
What Is FSSC 22000 and How Is It Different from ISO 22000?
FSSC 22000 — Food Safety System Certification 22000 — is a complete food safety certification scheme developed and managed by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification, a non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands. It is fully benchmarked and recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative — the international organisation whose recognition is required by the world’s largest food retailers and manufacturers as a condition of supplier qualification.
FSSC 22000 is built on three layers. The first layer is ISO 22000:2018 — the international Food Safety Management System standard including HACCP principles. The second layer is sector-specific Prerequisite Programme requirements from the ISO/TS 22002 technical specifications — covering the specific food safety infrastructure requirements for your particular food sector. The third layer is FSSC additional requirements — covering food defense, food fraud prevention, allergen management, food labelling, personnel competence and supplied materials management that go beyond what ISO 22000 alone requires.
The critical commercial distinction between ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 is GFSI recognition. ISO 22000 alone is not GFSI benchmarked — and the world’s major food retailers and global food manufacturers require GFSI recognised certification as a non-negotiable supply chain qualification criterion. FSSC 22000 is GFSI benchmarked. Achieving FSSC 22000 certification means your food business meets the food safety standard accepted by every major global retailer — unlocking supply chain opportunities that neither HACCP nor ISO 22000 alone can access.
Learn about FSSC 22000 from the official FSSC Foundation
FSSC 22000 version 6 — the current scheme
FSSC 22000 Version 6 is the current version of the scheme — incorporating strengthened requirements across food fraud prevention, food defense, allergen management, environmental monitoring and supply chain management. UAE food manufacturers implementing FSSC 22000 for the first time should implement directly to Version 6. Organisations currently certified to earlier versions must transition within the timeframe set by their certification body. Emarati Consultancy implements all new FSSC 22000 projects to the current Version 6 requirements — ensuring your certification is current from day one.
Why FSSC 22000 Is the Essential Food Safety Credential for UAE Food Exporters
GFSI recognition — the global retail supply chain passport
The Global Food Safety Initiative benchmarks food safety standards against internationally recognised criteria — and GFSI recognition is required by virtually every major international food retailer and global food manufacturer as a supplier qualification condition. When procurement teams at Carrefour, Lulu, Nestlé, Unilever, Mars, Danone and other global food brands say they require GFSI certification from their suppliers, they mean certification to a GFSI-recognised scheme. FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognised scheme. Achieving FSSC 22000 certification gives your UAE food business access to the global retail and branded food supply chains that represent the highest-value export opportunities available to UAE food manufacturers.
EU export market access
FSSC 22000 and IFS Food are the most widely accepted food safety standards for EU retail market access. For UAE food manufacturers and processors seeking to export to European markets — Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and other EU destinations — any GFSI recognised scheme including FSSC 22000 satisfies the baseline food safety management requirement of most European buyers. FSSC 22000’s ISO foundation makes it particularly well-suited for UAE businesses already operating within an ISO management system framework.
GCC and Middle East retail qualification
Major GCC supermarket chains and food retailers across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman increasingly require GFSI recognised food safety certification from food manufacturers and processors supplying their markets. FSSC 22000 is accepted across GCC retail supply chains — making it the natural choice for UAE food manufacturers targeting regional export growth aligned with UAE Operation 300bn industrial strategy objectives.
Food fraud and food defense — regulatory and commercial requirements
FSSC 22000 additional requirements include specific food fraud prevention and food defense programmes that go beyond ISO 22000 requirements. Food fraud prevention addresses economically motivated adulteration — the intentional substitution, dilution, mislabelling or misrepresentation of food. Food defense addresses intentional contamination from malicious actors. Both are increasingly required by international food buyers and regulators as evidence of comprehensive food safety governance — and FSSC 22000 is the internationally recognised standard that satisfies both requirements within a single certification framework.
Allergen management — critical for international retail compliance
FSSC 22000 additional requirements include comprehensive allergen management programmes covering allergen identification, cross-contamination prevention, cleaning validation and allergen labelling accuracy. International food retailers and branded food manufacturers consistently identify allergen management as one of the highest-risk food safety areas in their supplier qualification assessments. FSSC 22000 certification demonstrates that your allergen management programme meets internationally recognised standards — reducing supply chain risk and satisfying retailer qualification requirements.
Efficient transition from ISO 22000
For UAE food businesses already certified to ISO 22000, the transition to FSSC 22000 is significantly more efficient than starting from scratch. The transition requires implementing the additional FSSC requirements — sector-specific PRPs, food defense, food fraud prevention, allergen management and food labelling — on top of the ISO 22000 foundation already in place. The transition can be completed at any surveillance or recertification audit within your existing three-year ISO 22000 cycle — and results in a new FSSC 22000 certificate replacing your ISO 22000 certificate. Emarati Consultancy manages this transition efficiently for existing ISO 22000 certified UAE food businesses.
Key Benefits of FSSC 22000 Certification for UAE Food Businesses
Access to global retail supply chains
FSSC 22000 is accepted by the world’s largest food retailers and global food manufacturers as their preferred or required food safety certification scheme — opening supply chain opportunities that are completely unavailable to food businesses holding only HACCP or ISO 22000 certification.
Single certification for multiple global markets
FSSC 22000’s GFSI recognition means a single certification satisfies food safety supply chain requirements across GCC, European, American and Asian markets simultaneously — eliminating the need to pursue multiple market-specific food safety certifications for businesses supplying different international markets.
Comprehensive food safety governance
FSSC 22000 addresses food safety more comprehensively than HACCP or ISO 22000 alone — incorporating food fraud prevention, food defense, allergen management, environmental monitoring and supply chain management requirements that reflect the full scope of food safety risks facing modern food manufacturers.
Reduced audit burden through ISO integration
Because FSSC 22000 is built on ISO standards, it integrates efficiently with other ISO management systems including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 — enabling combined audits that reduce total audit days compared to maintaining separate certification programmes. UAE food manufacturers holding ISO 9001 alongside FSSC 22000 benefit from integrated audit efficiency that reduces both cost and operational disruption.
Listed on FSSC public register
All FSSC 22000 certified organisations are listed on the public FSSC certificate register — enabling international food buyers and retailers to verify your certification status directly and instantly. This public verification capability is a significant commercial advantage over certifications that cannot be easily verified by international procurement teams.
Investor and brand confidence
UAE food businesses pursuing investment, partnerships or brand licensing with international food companies find that FSSC 22000 certification is frequently required as evidence of food safety management maturity during investor due diligence and brand partnership qualification processes.
What FSSC 22000 Requires — The Three Layers Explained
Layer 1 — ISO 22000:2018 requirements
The foundation of FSSC 22000 certification UAE is the full ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System standard — covering food safety context and interested parties, leadership commitment and food safety policy, hazard analysis, HACCP plan, prerequisite programmes, operational controls, performance monitoring and continual improvement. Organisations already certified to ISO 22000 have this layer in place — reducing the additional work required for FSSC 22000 implementation significantly.
Layer 2 — Sector-specific prerequisite programmes
FSSC 22000 requires sector-specific PRP standards from the ISO/TS 22002 technical specification series — specifying the physical, operational and procedural requirements for your particular food sector. ISO/TS 22002-1 applies to food manufacturing. ISO/TS 22002-2 applies to catering. ISO/TS 22002-6 applies to food production for feed. These sector-specific PRPs go beyond the general PRP requirements of ISO 22000 to address the specific food safety infrastructure requirements of different food production environments.
Layer 3 — FSSC additional requirements
FSSC 22000 additional requirements address food safety dimensions not fully covered by ISO 22000 or the sector-specific PRPs. These include food fraud vulnerability assessment and prevention — identifying and mitigating economically motivated adulteration risks. Food defense — assessing and mitigating risks from intentional contamination. Allergen management programmes covering identification, cross-contamination prevention and labelling. Personnel and supplied materials management. Food labelling accuracy and compliance. Environmental monitoring programmes for manufacturing environments. These additional requirements are where FSSC 22000 goes significantly further than ISO 22000 alone.
FSSC 22000 Certification Process in UAE — Step by Step with Emarati Consultancy
Step 1 — Free food safety certification consultation
We begin with a free consultation to understand your food business, your current certification status and your target markets. We confirm whether FSSC 22000 is the right standard for your situation — or whether ISO 22000 or HACCP is more appropriate — and provide a transparent fixed-scope proposal before you commit to anything.
Step 2 — Gap analysis against all three FSSC 22000 layers
We assess your current food safety management system against all three layers of FSSC 22000 requirements — ISO 22000 compliance, sector-specific PRP requirements and FSSC additional requirements. For ISO 22000 certified organisations the gap analysis focuses specifically on the FSSC additional requirements and sector-specific PRP gaps.
Step 3 — Sector-specific PRP implementation
We assess your current prerequisite programme infrastructure against the applicable ISO/TS 22002 sector-specific requirements — identifying gaps in facility design, equipment, personnel hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, pest control, temperature management, cross-contamination control and waste management for your specific food sector.
Step 4 — Food fraud vulnerability assessment
We conduct a comprehensive food fraud vulnerability assessment covering all raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials — identifying vulnerability to economically motivated adulteration and implementing documented mitigation measures as required by FSSC 22000 additional requirements.
Step 5 — Food defense assessment
We conduct a food defense threat assessment evaluating the risk of intentional contamination across your facility, supply chain and distribution channels — implementing documented countermeasures and emergency response procedures proportionate to identified threat levels.
Step 6 — Allergen management programme
We develop or review your allergen management programme — covering allergen identification across all products and ingredients, cross-contamination prevention procedures, cleaning validation for shared production lines, allergen training for all personnel and allergen labelling accuracy verification processes.
Step 7 — FSSC documentation completion
We complete all required FSSC 22000 documentation — food fraud vulnerability assessment, food defense threat assessment, allergen management programme, environmental monitoring programme, supplier approval records and FSSC additional requirement procedures — integrated into your existing food safety management system documentation.
Step 8 — Internal FSSC 22000 audit
We conduct a comprehensive internal audit covering all three layers of FSSC 22000 requirements — assessing ISO 22000 compliance, sector-specific PRP implementation and FSSC additional requirement documentation and operational evidence. All non-conformities are resolved before the external FSSC certification body audit.
Step 9 — Corrective actions and FSSC audit preparation
All non-conformities from the internal audit are fully resolved. We prepare your team for the FSSC 22000 certification body audit — covering what assessors look for in each requirement area and how to demonstrate operational implementation of food fraud, food defense and allergen management programmes convincingly.
Step 10 — FSSC certification audit and certificate issued
The FSSC-licensed certification body conducts Stage 1 documentation review and Stage 2 on-site assessment. We coordinate everything and support your team throughout. Following a successful audit your FSSC 22000 certificate is issued and your organisation is listed on the public FSSC certificate register — valid for three years with annual surveillance audits.
FSSC 22000 Certification Cost and Timeline in UAE — 2026
How much does FSSC 22000 certification cost in UAE?
FSSC 22000 certification UAE cost depends on your operation’s size and complexity, your current certification status and the scope of additional work required for FSSC additional requirements. Realistic 2026 figures covering both Emarati Consultancy fees and certification body audit fees combined:
| Organisation | Current Status | Total Cost AED |
|---|---|---|
| Small manufacturer | Starting from HACCP | AED 10,000 — 16,000 |
| Small manufacturer | Transitioning from ISO 22000 | AED 6,000 — 10,000 |
| Medium manufacturer | Starting from HACCP | AED 16,000 — 25,000 |
| Medium manufacturer | Transitioning from ISO 22000 | AED 10,000 — 16,000 |
| Large manufacturer | Complex multi-product | AED 25,000 upward |
Organisations transitioning from existing ISO 22000 certification achieve FSSC 22000 at significantly lower cost because the ISO 22000 foundation is already in place — the additional investment covers only the FSSC-specific additional requirements, sector-specific PRP gaps and certification body FSSC audit fees.
Get a transparent fixed-scope quote
How long does FSSC 22000 certification take in UAE?
| Organisation | Current Status | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Small manufacturer | From HACCP | 8 to 14 weeks |
| Small manufacturer | From ISO 22000 | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Medium manufacturer | From HACCP | 12 to 20 weeks |
| Medium manufacturer | From ISO 22000 | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Large manufacturer | Complex operations | 20 to 28 weeks |
ISO 22000 certified organisations consistently achieve FSSC 22000 transition significantly faster because the management system foundation is already established and audited. The food fraud vulnerability assessment, food defense assessment and allergen management programme development are the primary additional implementation tasks for existing ISO 22000 certified organisations.
Which UAE Food Businesses Need FSSC 22000 Certification?
Food manufacturers supplying international retailers
UAE food manufacturers supplying products to international supermarket chains — whether directly or through distributors — need FSSC 22000 when those retail buyers specify GFSI recognised certification as a supplier qualification requirement. Any UAE food manufacturer receiving GFSI certification requests from buyers should pursue FSSC 22000 as the most efficient GFSI pathway for ISO-aligned organisations.
Food exporters targeting European and GCC markets
UAE food manufacturers and processors exporting to European Union markets, GCC retail chains and international food distribution networks find that FSSC 22000 is either required or strongly preferred by buyers in these markets. FSSC 22000’s broad GFSI recognition makes it the most versatile single certification for UAE food exporters targeting multiple international markets simultaneously.
Food manufacturers supplying global branded food companies
UAE food manufacturers producing private label products, co-manufactured products or ingredients for global branded food companies — Nestlé, Unilever, Mars, Danone, Kraft Heinz and similar multinational food brands — are required to hold GFSI recognised certification as a condition of supply. FSSC 22000 is the preferred GFSI scheme for multinational food companies with existing ISO management system frameworks.
Food packaging manufacturers
FSSC 22000 covers food packaging manufacturers under the ISO/TS 22002-4 sector-specific PRP standard — recognising that packaging materials directly contact food and must meet equivalent food safety management standards to the food manufacturers they supply. UAE packaging manufacturers supplying food manufacturers who hold FSSC 22000 are increasingly required to demonstrate equivalent food safety certification from their packaging suppliers.
ISO certification in Abu Dhabi
Food manufacturers seeking investment and partnerships
UAE food manufacturers pursuing investment from international food companies, private equity firms with food sector portfolios or international joint venture partners find that FSSC 22000 certification is frequently required during due diligence — demonstrating food safety management maturity that satisfies international investor standards.
Large-scale catering companies
Large catering operations supplying institutional clients across multiple sites implement FSSC 22000 under the ISO/TS 22002-2 catering sector PRPs — demonstrating food safety management capability at a scale and rigour that satisfies the qualification requirements of airline clients, international hotel chains and institutional food service buyers with their own GFSI requirements.
FSSC 22000 Certification Across All UAE Emirates
FSSC 22000 certification in Dubai
Emarati Consultancy serves food manufacturers, food processors and large catering operations across all Dubai districts, free zones and industrial areas. Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub and the region’s most active international trade gateway makes FSSC 22000 particularly commercially valuable for Dubai-based food exporters and manufacturers supplying international retail and branded food supply chains.
FSSC 22000 certification in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah manufacturing clusters
We support food manufacturers across Abu Dhabi’s industrial zones and Sharjah’s food processing clusters. Sharjah’s manufacturing sector — one of the most active food production environments in the UAE — creates strong demand for FSSC 22000 among food manufacturers targeting GCC and international export markets. ISO certification in Sharjah
FSSC 22000 certification across all UAE emirates
Emarati Consultancy provides FSSC 22000 consultancy across all seven UAE emirates — Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Al Ain with both in-person and remote consultation available.
FSSC 22000 Compared to Related Food Safety Standards
FSSC 22000 vs ISO 22000
ISO 22000 is the international Food Safety Management System standard — comprehensive, internationally recognised and sufficient for export markets, airline catering and hotel supply that do not specifically require GFSI certification. FSSC 22000 builds on ISO 22000 by adding sector-specific PRPs and FSSC additional requirements — and critically adds GFSI recognition. Choose ISO 22000 when your markets do not specifically require GFSI certification. Choose FSSC 22000 when your buyers, retailers or markets require GFSI recognised certification.
FSSC 22000 vs HACCP
HACCP is the foundational food safety methodology required for UAE domestic regulatory compliance — Dubai Municipality, ADAFSA and emirate-level food safety inspections. FSSC 22000 incorporates HACCP principles within a comprehensive GFSI recognised management system framework that goes far beyond HACCP in scope, rigour and international market recognition. HACCP is the starting point. FSSC 22000 is the destination for UAE food manufacturers targeting global supply chains.
FSSC 22000 vs BRCGS
BRCGS — British Retail Consortium Global Standards — is another GFSI recognised food safety scheme, particularly dominant among UK and European retailers. Both FSSC 22000 and BRCGS satisfy GFSI requirements and are accepted across international markets. FSSC 22000 is ISO-based and integrates efficiently with existing ISO management systems. BRCGS has a different audit structure and is particularly preferred by UK retailers. If your target markets include specific UK retailers who require BRCGS, contact Emarati Consultancy for guidance on the right GFSI scheme for your specific buyer requirements.
FSSC 22000 vs ISO 9001
ISO 9001 covers quality management across all business processes. FSSC 22000 covers food safety management specifically. Many UAE food manufacturers hold both — ISO 9001 for broader quality management, government tender qualification and international quality management credibility, and FSSC 22000 for food safety management and GFSI recognised supply chain qualification. Because both share the same ISO high-level structure, implementing them together is significantly more efficient than separate implementations.
Why Choose Emarati Consultancy for FSSC 22000 Certification in UAE?
Honest guidance on which food safety standard you actually need
Emarati Consultancy provides honest advice on whether HACCP, ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000 is right for your specific food business and target markets. We do not recommend FSSC 22000 to food businesses whose markets do not require GFSI recognition — because that would waste your resources on requirements that do not serve your commercial objectives. When FSSC 22000 is right for your situation we tell you clearly. When ISO 22000 is sufficient we tell you that instead.
Efficient ISO 22000 to FSSC 22000 transition management
For UAE food businesses already holding ISO 22000 certification, Emarati Consultancy manages the FSSC 22000 transition efficiently — building on your existing management system foundation and implementing only the additional FSSC requirements rather than rebuilding your entire food safety system. This transition approach consistently achieves FSSC 22000 at lower cost and in less time than starting from scratch.
Food fraud and food defense expertise
Food fraud vulnerability assessment and food defense threat assessment are among the most technically demanding elements of FSSC 22000 — and among the most commonly inadequate in food safety management systems that consultancies build quickly from generic templates. Emarati Consultancy develops food fraud and food defense programmes that are genuinely specific to your supply chain, your products and your operational environment.
Complete food safety certification pathway
Emarati Consultancy guides UAE food businesses through every stage of the food safety certification pathway — from HACCP certification UAE for regulatory compliance through ISO 22000 for international market access to FSSC 22000 for GFSI recognised global retail supply chain qualification. One consultancy, the complete food safety pathway, expert guidance at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions — FSSC 22000 Certification UAE
- What is FSSC 22000 and why is it different from ISO 22000?
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FSSC 22000 is a GFSI recognised food safety certification scheme built on ISO 22000 with additional sector-specific prerequisite programme requirements and FSSC additional requirements covering food fraud prevention, food defense, allergen management and environmental monitoring. The critical difference is GFSI recognition — which is required by the world's major food retailers and global food brands as a supplier qualification condition. ISO 22000 alone is not GFSI benchmarked. FSSC 22000 is. For UAE food businesses whose buyers or target markets require GFSI certification, FSSC 22000 is the appropriate standard.
- Which UAE food businesses need FSSC 22000 rather than ISO 22000?
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UAE food businesses need FSSC 22000 when their buyers, retailers or markets specifically require GFSI recognised certification. This includes food manufacturers supplying major international supermarket chains, businesses exporting to markets where GFSI certification is required by buyers, food manufacturers supplying global branded food companies and businesses receiving GFSI certification requests during supplier qualification processes. If your buyers require ISO 22000 but not specifically GFSI certification, ISO 22000 is sufficient.
- Can I transition from ISO 22000 to FSSC 22000?
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Yes. ISO 22000 certified organisations can transition to FSSC 22000 efficiently — implementing the FSSC additional requirements and sector-specific PRPs on top of the existing ISO 22000 foundation. The transition can be completed at any audit within your existing three-year ISO 22000 cycle and results in a new FSSC 22000 certificate. Emarati Consultancy manages this transition for existing ISO 22000 certified UAE food businesses — typically completing the transition in 4 to 8 weeks for small manufacturers.
- What are the FSSC 22000 additional requirements?
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FSSC 22000 additional requirements cover food fraud vulnerability assessment and prevention, food defense threat assessment and countermeasures, allergen management programme, environmental monitoring programme, personnel and supplied materials management, food labelling accuracy and compliance, and other requirements that go beyond what ISO 22000 alone specifies. These additional requirements address food safety risks that have grown in commercial and regulatory importance in global food supply chains.
- How much does FSSC 22000 certification cost in UAE?
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FSSC 22000 certification for small UAE food manufacturers transitioning from ISO 22000 costs from AED 6,000 covering the additional implementation work and certification body FSSC audit fees. Small manufacturers starting from HACCP pay AED 10,000 to AED 16,000. Medium manufacturers from AED 16,000 upward. Large or complex operations from AED 25,000 upward. Contact Emarati Consultancy for a transparent fixed-scope quote specific to your situation.
- How long does FSSC 22000 certification take in UAE?
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ISO 22000 certified organisations typically achieve FSSC 22000 transition in 4 to 8 weeks for small manufacturers and 6 to 10 weeks for medium operations. Organisations starting from HACCP require 8 to 14 weeks for small manufacturers and 12 to 20 weeks for medium operations. Large or complex food operations need 20 to 28 weeks. The food fraud vulnerability assessment and food defense assessment are the elements requiring the most careful development — rushing them risks certification body non-conformances.
- Is FSSC 22000 listed on a public register?
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Yes. All FSSC 22000 certified organisations are listed on the public FSSC certificate register at fssc.com — enabling international food buyers and retailers to verify your certification status, scope and validity instantly. This public verification capability is a significant commercial advantage when qualifying with international buyers who routinely verify supplier certification status before completing supplier qualification processes.
- Does Emarati Consultancy provide FSSC 22000 consultancy across all UAE emirates?
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Get FSSC 22000 Certified in UAE — Open Every Global Food Safety Door
FSSC 22000 certification UAE is the food safety credential that gives UAE food manufacturers access to every major international retail supply chain, every global branded food company supplier qualification programme and every export market that requires GFSI recognised food safety certification. It is the highest internationally recognised food safety management system certification available to UAE food businesses — and the credential that transforms your organisation from a domestic or regional food supplier into a globally qualified food manufacturer.
Whether you are a food manufacturer starting FSSC 22000 implementation from scratch, transitioning efficiently from existing ISO 22000 certification or seeking guidance on whether FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 is right for your specific market requirements — Emarati Consultancy has the FSSC expertise, UAE food sector knowledge and GFSI pathway experience to guide you through successfully.
Phone: +971 52 856 0299 Email: info@emaraticonsultancy.ae Office: City Bay Business Centre, Office 303, Near Abu Bakr Metro Station, Dubai, UAE
