Dubai has already integrated its Food Import and Re-export System (FIRS) with the new federal portal, called ZAD, with 600,000 food items already registered.
All food products entering any of the emirates will eventually have to be registered on ZAD, removing the need for accreditation in each territory.
“Food control authorities in each emirate will accept the applications for registration through the system. Once any of the food control body approves the products, they will be registered on the federal system under different categories. Trading companies will not have to seek registration and clearance from different emirates anymore,” said Eman Al Bastaki, director of Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality at this week's Gulfood Show.
It is also believed that lab tests also will not have to be repeated in separate emirates.
Officials hope the system will cut the time it takes for inter-emirate food transfers, while also curbing illegal trade.
The online system will also list the Halal certification and accreditation bodies approved by the Emirates Authority for Standarization and Metrology (ESMA).
The organisation has so far approved 41 Halal certification bodies covering 20 countries.