Abandoned Food Shipments at Jebel Ali Port to be Donated Through UAE Food Bank
The “Sustainable Goodness” initiative aims to reduce food waste by donating eligible food shipments left uncleared at customs to the UAE Food Bank after health and safety checks.
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The UAE Food Bank and the DP World Foundation, the charitable arm of DP World Group, have launched a program to recover unclaimed food shipments at Jebel Ali Port and redistribute suitable products to people in need instead of going to waste.
The initiative “Sustainable Goodness,” implemented in partnership with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Customs, and DP World, aims to reduce food waste by donating eligible food shipments left uncleared at customs to the UAE Food Bank after health and safety checks.
“The initiative transforms a logistical challenge into a sustainable opportunity that supports food security and responsible resource management,” Latifa Al Qamzi, Director General of the DP World Foundation, said. “Through our collaboration with the UAE Food Bank and our partners, we are helping create a more efficient and impactful model for managing surplus food and supporting charitable efforts across the UAE.”
Under the agreement, participating entities will establish procedures to identify, assess, and manage unclaimed shipments. Products deemed safe for consumption will be distributed through the food bank’s network.
The program also simplifies the donation process for companies that choose to relinquish ownership of eligible shipments.
The cooperation agreement was signed in the presence of Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Food Bank; Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation; Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs; Latifa Al Qamzi, Director General of the DP World Foundation; Ahmed Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC and CEO and Managing Director of Jebel Ali Port; and Shehab Mohammed Al Jasmi, Chief Commercial Officer, Ports and Terminals, DP World GCC.
Dubai Municipality will oversee technical and regulatory requirements related to food safety and compliance before shipments are transferred to the UAE Food Bank, Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, said.
The partners also plan to conduct awareness campaigns on food waste reduction and responsible consumption and to report on the initiative’s outcomes through sustainability and development platforms.
The UAE Food Bank and the DP World Foundation, the charitable arm of DP World Group, have launched a program to recover unclaimed food shipments at Jebel Ali Port and redistribute suitable products to people in need instead of going to waste.
The initiative “Sustainable Goodness,” implemented in partnership with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Customs, and DP World, aims to reduce food waste by donating eligible food shipments left uncleared at customs to the UAE Food Bank after health and safety checks.
“The initiative transforms a logistical challenge into a sustainable opportunity that supports food security and responsible resource management,” Latifa Al Qamzi, Director General of the DP World Foundation, said. “Through our collaboration with the UAE Food Bank and our partners, we are helping create a more efficient and impactful model for managing surplus food and supporting charitable efforts across the UAE.”
Entrepreneur Middle East Staff
Entrepreneur Staff
