Ambassadors and Councillors, like all GHI members, do not represent their employers.
Membership is individual and contributions to GHI are based on the scientific conscience of the members.

Ambassador

Dr Salih Mustafa S Zebari 

Ph.D., M.Sc., & PG Diploma in Food Science (UK Universities),
Lecturer in Food Authenticity and Quality Control
Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Ambassador’s Report

As a GHI Ambassador, I aim to promote the harmonization of food safety, nutrition, and quality regulations across Iraq, drawing on findings from my Master’s and PhD research, as well as national and international scientific literature. My research has highlighted significant challenges within Iraq’s food control system, where responsibilities are distributed among multiple ministries and regulatory bodies rather than a single centralized food authority. This fragmented structure often leads to inconsistent enforcement, weak quality control systems, limited food fraud detection, inadequate laboratory verification, and insufficient monitoring of both imported and locally produced food products.

Another major challenge is the limited implementation and enforcement of comprehensive food labeling and nutrition policies. Iraq would benefit from adopting internationally recognized food labeling approaches, including traffic-light front-of-pack nutrition labeling, to support healthier consumer choices and help address the growing burden of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, the emerging field of Nutrition and Dietetics requires stronger policy support through the development of national nutrition strategies, professional standards, and evidence-based dietary guidelines. As part of my academic and professional activities, I have already initiated a draft framework for developing food-based dietary guidelines tailored to the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi population.

Global harmonization of food safety and nutrition regulations would strengthen consumer protection, improve food authenticity and quality assurance systems, support the establishment of accredited third-party certification and inspection bodies, and align Iraqi standards with international best practices. Such efforts would enhance public health, increase consumer confidence, facilitate international trade, and create greater opportunities for Iraqi food products to access regional and global markets. Through GHI, I hope to contribute to science-based policymaking, stronger regulatory frameworks, and international collaboration that support a safer, healthier, and more competitive food system for Iraq.

Presentations

March 2024       5th International Conference on Biomedical and Health Sciences, Cihan University.

March 2022       4th International Conference on Biological and Health Sciences, Cihan University.

June 2021         The 4th– Scientific Conference on Outstanding Graduation Project by Students of  Cihan University- Erbil, Panel Reporter.

Dec. 2019          Erasmus Students Annual Conference, SGGW University, POLAND.

April 2019         3rd International Conference of Cihan University-Erbil on Biological & Health

Sciences (CIC-BIOHS’19). Organizing, Chair Committee.

July 2016         4th ISEKI_Food Conference- Bringing training and research, Vienna, Austria.

Janu. 2016       Joint Research group conference, Prize for best poster, Plymouth, UK

Publications

  • Zebari, S.M., Mahgoob, N.Q., Qahtan, M.N., Jassim, N.M., Adil, H.O. and Hashim, A.Q., 2022. Pre and Early Post-Operative Iron Assessment in Obese Patients Underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gasterctomy. Cihan University-Erbil Scientific Journal, 6(2), pp.153-160.
  • Galali, Y., Zebari, S.M., Younis, K., Rizgar, Z., Sidiq, N. and Taha, B., 2022. Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Lifestyles and Eating Behavior of Cihan University Students. Cihan University-Erbil Scientific Journal, 6(2), pp.141-146.
  • Szpicer, A., Bińkowska, W., Wojtasik-Kalinowska, I., Salih, S.M. and Półtorak, A., 2023. Application of computational fluid dynamics simulations in food industry. European Food Research and Technology, pp.1-20.
  • Sadee, B.A., Galali, Y. and Zebari, S.M., Toxicity, arsenic speciation and characteristics of hyphenated techniques used for arsenic determination in vegetables. A review. RSC advances, 13(44), pp.30959-30977.
  • Galali, Y., Zebari, S.M., Aj. Jabbar, A., Hashm Balaky, H., Sadee, B.A. and Hassanzadeh, H., The impact of ketogenic diet on some metabolic and non‐metabolic diseases: Evidence from human and animal model experiments. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(3), pp.1444-1464.
  • Shaddad, M.N., Alotaibi, M.A., Alharthi, A.I., Alanazi, A.A., Arunachalam, P., Zebari, S.M., Al-Mayouf, A.M., Al-shalwi, M.N. and Qahtan, T.F., 2024. Highly efficient electrochemical ascorbic acid determination via a cooperative catalytic effect of dendritic Bi/Bi2O3 junctions and oxygen vacancies. Microchemical Journal, p.111052.
  • Sadee, B.A., Zebari, S., Shahrokhisahneh, B., Galali, Y., Saad, M., Ali, S., Sadiq, A., Nawara, S. and Nogaim, Q., 2025. Assessing the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism. All Life, 18(1), p.2561940.
  • Ibrahim, S.K., Mosa, R.K., Sarkees, A.N. and Zebari, S.M., 2026. Body Mass Analysis for Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention: A Cross‐Sectional Study. Health Science Reports, 9(1), p.e71707.

Planned Activities as a GHI Ambassador in Iraq

  • Translate GHI materials into Arabic and Kurdish where needed.
  • Write articles for local media and food and public health magazines.
  • Share GHI updates and press releases with food authorities and policymakers.
  • Organize meetings, events, and conferences involving academia, industry stakeholders, and policymakers.
  • Promote public awareness of food safety, quality, nutritional requirements, and regulatory harmonization.