Head of FDA leads delegation at 6th annual International Forum for Food Regulatory Authorities

The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadai, led a delegation to the 6th annual meeting of the International Forum of Food Regulatory Authorities (IHFAF) held in Santiago, Chile from April 9th to 11th. This forum brought together regulatory authorities from around the world to discuss various issues related to food safety.

During the forum, Saudi Arabia, represented by the SFDA, chaired a session on “Applying Artificial Intelligence and Modern Technologies in Food Regulatory Authorities.” The SFDA highlighted its efforts in adopting modern technologies for food testing and inspection, which has led to increased compliance with quality standards and improved public health by enhancing the safety of food products in the markets.

The sessions at the forum also focused on the importance of digital transformation in the food sector and explored ways to utilize artificial intelligence and modern technologies in food regulatory authorities to enhance the efficiency of inspection and control operations. Discussions also centered on best practices in risk reporting and information management in light of rapid technological advancements to ensure the quality and safety of food products.

The participation of the SFDA in this international event is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with global counterparts, reaffirming its leading role in knowledge sharing and solidifying its position as a reference regulatory body in food safety.

It is worth mentioning that the SFDA is one of the founding members of the IHFAF, which held its first meeting in Riyadh in 2020 with the aim of unifying global efforts to enhance food safety and quality.