HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, has issued Ministerial Decision No. (102) of 2025, adopting the Qatari Technical Regulation on Shelf Life of Food Products, No. QS 10050:2025.
The new regulation replaces Technical Regulation QS GSO 150-1:2013/Amd1/Amd2:2023, which was adopted under Ministerial Decision No. (17) of 2024, as well as Standard QS GSO 150-2:2013/Amd1:2024, adopted under Ministerial Decision No. (17) of 2025.
The new regulation on Shelf Life of Food Products aims to ensure the safety and quality of food products circulating in the local market by adopting shelf-life periods based on scientific principles and modern international standards.
This will help enhance consumer confidence and reduce food waste through the adoption of more flexible shelf-life periods grounded in reliable studies, thereby strengthening the flexibility of the local market by allowing the entry of a wider and more diverse range of products.
The regulation is significant in that it serves as a national reference fully aligned-100 percent-with international standards, and contributes to protecting national dairy products in implementation of the directives of the Council of Ministers. It also addresses challenges previously associated with the application of shelf-life requirement to foods prepared in restaurants and hotels, which arose from conflicting regulations and procedures.
In addition, the new regulation to control Shelf Life of Food Products supports national industry by encouraging innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of products in local and global markets. It also facilitates import and export operations by reducing unjustified restrictions related to shelf-life requirements, thereby contributing to greater diversity of food products in the local market.
The regulation specifies shelf-life periods for a number of sensitive food products, including chilled meat and meat products, fresh fish and seafood, infant foods, eggs, fresh and pasteurized juices, and ready-to-eat foods. It also defines the appropriate storage temperatures for each category.
MOCI said the decision on Shelf Life of Food Products, developed with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Municipality, marks a major step forward in Qatar’s food safety system. It unifies nationwide standards for production and expiry date labelling, storage, and display, while reducing food waste and losses.
The ministry urged all food sector entities to fully comply, noting that inspection teams will launch monitoring campaigns and take legal action against violators.
