Al-Awadi Approves Regulations on 'Radioisotopes'

Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued a ministerial decision adopting a regulation that sets maximum limits for radioactive isotope concentrations in food, drinking water, and animal feed, thereby strengthening oversight of these products and safeguarding consumer health. In a press statement, the Ministry of Health said the regulation prohibits the circulation of food items in which radioactive isotope concentrations exceed the limits specified according to the type of isotope and the food category. It clarified that measurements are expressed in becquerels per kilogram and explained how to calculate radioactive activity when more than one isotope from the same group is present. The regulation excludes dried or concentrated foods from these limits, as they are subject to an exceptional intervention level of 30 millisieverts per year.

Regarding drinking water, the decision stipulates maximum concentration limits of 5.0 becquerels per liter for alpha-emitting radioactive isotopes and 1 becquerel per liter for beta-emitting isotopes, with the radioactive isotope K-40 exempted from the beta-emitting limits. It also set a maximum total radioactive activity for non-natural isotopes in animal feed at 300 becquerels per kilogram.

The ministry explained that if the prescribed limits in food products are exceeded, the Radiation Protection Administration will notify the relevant authorities to take necessary measures, including inspecting locally produced or domestically circulated foods and taking appropriate actions regarding their circulation. For imported foods, procedures are carried out in coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition or the General Customs Administration to implement suitable measures in accordance with established regulations.

On a separate note, the Ministry of Health launched a three-day training workshop on the “Microsoft Power BI” program for data analysis and visualization. The workshop is organized by the General Administration of External Health Affairs and International Health Relations at the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Digital Health Sector, and involves more than 20 employees from the External Health Sector and its affiliated entities.

Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services Dr. Hisham Kalander told KUNA in a press statement that the patient is the central focus of any development in the external health sector, and enhancing staff capabilities in monitoring and understanding data contributes to more accurately identifying patient needs and improving the services provided to them. He clarified that improving procedures and follow-up directly impacts patient experience, and leveraging data enables a better understanding of patient needs, directing development efforts toward areas that have a tangible impact on service delivery.

He added that digital transformation is not limited to introducing modern systems and technologies, but also encompasses developing work methods and utilizing information for planning and decision-making. He emphasized the External Health Sector’s commitment to being an active part of the Ministry’s digital transformation agenda and to leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency of procedures and follow-up in integration with the Digital Health Sector.