A SWOT analysis of Bahrain's food control system revealed that certain strengths and weaknesses are inherent in the system. Besides weaknesses and strengths, there are threats that could negatively impact the system if not prevented or controlled. Nevertheless, there are opportunities to respond to the threats, making Bahrain's food control systems more efficient and effective. It is therefore important that all or some of these strengths, opportunities, threats and weaknesses are examined. Weaknesses include the fact that the resources available to agencies and staff employed in Bahrain's food control system are limited. The lack of resources is linked to the lack of skills and competencies in the application of modern techniques, particularly in microbiological and chemical analysis. The second weakness of Bahrain's food control system is that most laws and regulations on food safety and control are not based on risk analysis or scientific basis. In other words, the laws may be outdated and irrelevant to the latest mechanisms by which pathogens and other contaminants affect food (Nestlé, 2007). Furthermore, Bahrain does not have the technical expertise or sufficiently competent personnel to assess the effectiveness and enforceability of its food control laws. The third weakness is that food testing, inspections, and contaminant detection are only taken seriously after an outbreak of certain foodborne illnesses, food poisoning, or deaths. The increase in the number of food establishments or outlets such as cold stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets reported by the Director of Public Health has also made inspection and control more...... middle paper...... Bahrain's power supply supervisory authorities must be able to address and counter any identified threats to the system. For example, the threat of failure to critically analyze food regulatory agencies could expose the population to unsafe foods. In other words, there are high chances of cross-contamination of food during inspections due to weak inspection services and procedures. Worse still, the government may not have the capacity to control foodborne illnesses if they break out. Over-reliance on imported food products, however, remains the biggest threat to Bahrain's food control system, as it implies that food problems from the countries of origin would be imported to Bahrain. One of the strategies proposed or recommended for Bahrain regarding its food control system is the adoption of an integrated approach to food control activities..