SFDA Chief Inaugurates Training Program To Boost Food Safety Standards In The Near East

Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, Chief Executive of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), inaugurated the Codex Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE) training program in Riyadh. The event, titled "From Knowledge to Action: Empowering the Region for Codex Compliance," saw participation from representatives of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Aljadhey highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and active engagement to boost regional cooperation. He stressed that developing international standards, sharing expertise among Codex members, and enhancing food safety are crucial goals. "Through this program, we aim to raise the level of international integration, build capacities, and develop skills. We also strive for active participation in the development of standards issued by Codex to protect consumer health and ensure global food safety," Aljadhey stated.

FAO representative Dr. Angeliki Vlachou commended SFDA's leadership in organizing the training program. She emphasized the necessity of continuous scientific exchange to bolster food safety and reaffirmed FAO's essential role in supporting the Codex Alimentarius Commission in creating international food standards.

WHO representative Dr. Eva Al Zein underscored that food safety and proper nutrition are vital for health and human development. She pointed out that regulatory frameworks must evolve to address new challenges facing food systems. "The significance of this program lies in reinforcing national food safety systems and achieving the highest health standards," she added.

Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretary Dr. Sarah Cahill noted that the event offers an excellent opportunity to learn, share knowledge and experiences, identify gaps and challenges, and consider future directions. "We can shape the future of CCNE together," she said, expressing gratitude to SFDA for organizing the event and bringing together CCNE members.

Program Objectives

CCNE Regional Coordinator Khaled Al Zahrani affirmed that the program is designed to encourage effective participation in Codex Alimentarius Commission activities and events. He expressed hope that the program would meet its objectives by enhancing knowledge exchange and experience sharing.

The first session, titled "Bridging Data and Expertise: Joint Efforts in Food Safety," provided an overview of existing efforts, partnerships, and opportunities to enhance regional cooperation. It also discussed FAO and WHO expert committees' roles in Codex Alimentarius legislation, showcased scientific advice programs, and recommended tools for data collection.

Future Discussions

The three-day event will cover significant topics such as innovations in food production systems, food risk assessment, and food control assessment tools. Participants will also discuss transforming food systems for better health outcomes with insights drawn from Saudi Arabia's experience.

The Codex Alimentarius strategy for 2026-2031 was reviewed along with experiences from different regions' Codex Coordination Committees during these sessions.

The event aims to foster a deeper understanding among participants about current efforts in food safety while encouraging collaboration across regions to improve global standards.

With inputs from SPA