Abu Dhabi launches Adafsa Golden List to reward top performers in food safety

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Authority (ADAFSA) has launched a gold list, a strategic initiative under its Zadna rating system, aimed at promoting transparency and rewarding food establishments that demonstrate exceptional adherence to food safety standards across all food safety levels this year.

The gold list sees sustainable establishments meet the highest standards of food safety and gives them enhanced regulatory rights.

This includes a change from traditional risk-based audits to audit-based audits, which reflects Adafsa’s confidence in their operations and allows them to focus more on development, service development, and operational growth.

Abu Dhabi Gold list

The Initiative supports ADAFSA’s broader strategy to implement recycling control programs and strengthen risk management through risk prevention and elimination analysis.

It also reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional leader in food security and agricultural sustainability.

To be eligible, food establishments must:

• Achieve an “A” (consistent) rating on their last three exams
• Record no significant risk violations within 12 months of the most recent assessment
• Fully meet all legal, technical, and procedural requirements set forth in the approved regulatory framework

The establishment will also be re-evaluated to ensure continued compliance and maintenance of gold listing status.

Food safety

Mohamed Abdul Latif Al Hammafi, director of food control at Adafsa, said: “The gold list marks a new stage in the evolution of our food control systems.”

He also added: “We believe that trust begins by seeing beauty. The gold list offers institutions that are more compatible with new space and growth, without compromising security.”

To support the initiative, ADAFSA will develop awareness workshops and digital training sessions for food businesses.

Obvious Measurements

It will also roll out digital self-assessment and tracking tools to help establish compliance monitoring.

The gold list will be regularly updated and published on ADAFSA’s official digital platforms to ensure transparency and promote healthy competition in the field.

The Zadna rating platform, a digital system that allows the public to view food establishment ratings based on safety performance, is included in the program.

The platform also has a health engagement scale developed with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, showing participation in public health programs.

With this initiative, ADAFSA aims to embed a lasting culture of compliance, transparency, and consumer trust, while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global destination for safe, sustainable food.