SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey Leads Delegation At Sixth IHFAF Meeting In Santiago, Chile

The sixth annual meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF) took place in Santiago, Chile, from April 9 to 11. Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), led the Saudi delegation. The forum focused on "Innovation, Technology, and Digital Transformation in Food Safety," gathering global leaders to discuss enhancing food safety systems through technology.

The SFDA played a significant role by co-chairing a session titled "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and New Technologies Used in Food Safety Inspection." This session highlighted the SFDA's initiatives in adopting advanced technologies for food inspection and control. These efforts aim to improve compliance with quality standards, ultimately ensuring safer food products for consumers.

Digital transformation's importance in the food sector was a key topic at the meeting. Discussions explored how AI and new technologies can enhance inspection efficiency by food control authorities. The SFDA emphasized that these technological advancements contribute significantly to public health by ensuring market-available food products meet safety standards.

Risk communication and information management were also discussed as essential components for maintaining food quality and safety amid rapid technological changes. The forum provided a platform for sharing best practices in these areas, highlighting their role in adapting to technological advancements.

The SFDA's active involvement in this international meeting underscores its dedication to fostering collaboration with global counterparts. By participating actively, the SFDA reaffirms its position as a leading regulatory reference in food safety, facilitating knowledge exchange and expertise sharing among international agencies.

The SFDA is a founding member of IHFAF, which held its first meeting in Riyadh in 2020. The forum aims to unify global efforts to elevate food safety and quality standards. This commitment reflects the authority's ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration with international partners.

The meeting sessions highlighted the crucial role of digital transformation in improving food safety systems worldwide. By leveraging technology, authorities can ensure better compliance with quality standards, ultimately benefiting public health by providing safer food products.

In summary, the SFDA's participation at IHFAF demonstrates its commitment to advancing global food safety standards through innovation and technology. By sharing expertise and collaborating with international counterparts, the authority continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food safety worldwide.

With inputs from SPA