Saudi Food And Drug Authority CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey Leads Delegation At Shenzhen Food Safety Forum

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), led by CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, participated in the 8th Shenzhen Food Safety Forum in China. This event, held from November 5th to 6th, 2024, was organized by the Shenzhen Institute of Standards and Technology. Cai Yingquan, Director-General of Market Regulation Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, inaugurated the forum.

Dr. Aljadhey took part in a dialogue session titled "Role of Innovation and Biotechnology in Food Safety." He highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts to advance food sources and production systems through regulatory frameworks and strategic initiatives. "Saudi Arabia is actively advancing its approach to new food sources and production systems through comprehensive regulatory frameworks and strategic initiatives," he stated.

The SFDA has implemented specific regulations for novel foods to ensure safety assessments before market entry. Dr. Aljadhey emphasized that this framework not only ensures consumer safety but also encourages innovation within Saudi Arabia's food technology sector. "This regulatory framework," Dr. Aljadhey added, "not only prioritizes consumer safety but also fosters innovation in food technology within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

He further discussed the anticipated global increase in food demand by 70% by 2050, stressing the need for innovative solutions to meet this challenge. "As we all know, the global food demand is expected to increase by 70% by 2050, necessitating innovative solutions to meet the needs of a growing population," Dr. Aljadhey said.

The forum aimed to explore new trends, ideas, technologies, and methods for enhancing food safety management while promoting industry growth. It served as a platform for exchanging information among various stakeholders involved in this field.

Experts from international organizations like the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Codex Alimentarius Commission, and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) attended the event. Representatives from food regulatory agencies and academic institutions worldwide also participated.

Commitment to Food Safety

By engaging in this forum, SFDA underscored Saudi Arabia's dedication to fostering international cooperation in food safety. The event gathered nearly 100 global experts who explored trends, innovative ideas, advanced technologies, and methods related to food safety.

This gathering highlighted the shift from traditional "farm to table" approaches towards innovative "lab to table" models. This transformation aims not only at changing production methods but ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for everyone.

With inputs from SPA