
SFDA chief heads Saudi delegation at International Heads of Food Agencies Forum in Chile
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority's CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey led the organization's delegation at the sixth annual meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum, which convened in Santiago, Chile, from April 9 to 11 with the theme 'Innovation, Technology, and Digital Transformation in Food Safety.'
The forum brought together leaders of the world's food safety agencies to discuss strategies for leveraging technology to enhance safety systems.
The SFDA, which represented the Kingdom, co-chaired a key session called 'Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies Used in Food Safety Inspection.'
This highlighted the SFDA's initiatives in adopting advanced technologies for food inspection and control, emphasizing their positive impact on enhancing compliance with quality standards.
This technological adoption ultimately contributes to improved public health by ensuring the safety of food products available in the market.
The meeting underscored the crucial role of digital transformation in the food sector and explored how AI and new technologies can improve the efficiency of inspections conducted by food control authorities.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA elected to Management Committee of MedDRA, the 6th global regulatory body
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — In a move that highlights Saudi Arabia's growing prominence in global pharmaceutical governance, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has been officially elected to the Management Committee of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA). The authority has thus become the sixth regulatory authority worldwide to join this prestigious global medical body. This election marks a pivotal milestone for both Saudi Arabia and the international scientific community, reflecting global confidence in the SFDA's regulatory excellence and the Kingdom's strategic role in advancing international harmonization in drug safety and medical product oversight. MedDRA, developed by the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), is a globally recognized standard for coding and analyzing safety data across the lifecycle of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. It plays a central role in regulatory communication, post-market surveillance, clinical trial reporting, and signal detection. SFDA's election to the MedDRA Steering committee was confirmed during the ICH Management Committee meeting held in Madrid, Spain, from May 11–12, 2025. With this appointment, SFDA joins a group of regulators, including the European Commission, U.S. FDA, UK MHRA, Health Canada, Japan's MHLW and PMDA, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), which participates as an observer. This strategic appointment reaffirms SFDA's active leadership within ICH working groups, particularly in the areas of medical terminology and pharmacovigilance. Among its most impactful contributions is the linguistic and technical leadership demonstrated in the translation and validation of over 20,000 MedDRA terms into Arabic—a landmark initiative completed between May and October 2022. This achievement significantly facilitates the implementation of MedDRA across Arabic-speaking regions and enhances inclusive pharmacovigilance throughout the MENA region. For CEOs, scientific leaders, and policymakers, this development signals new opportunities to align regulatory frameworks, accelerate clinical development across the region, and enhance data interoperability. SFDA's presence on the MedDRA Steering Committee is not merely symbolic—it serves as a strategic platform for integrating global safety data, advancing regulatory innovation, and sharing best practices. As Saudi Arabia continues to lead in biopharma localization, digital health, and AI-driven pharmacovigilance, SFDA's role in shaping the evolution of MedDRA is set to reinforce the Kingdom's position at the forefront of global health regulation.


Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA CEO reviews Hajj readiness and AI-powered safety protocols in Makkah
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — As part of Saudi Arabia's preparations to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims during Hajj 2025, Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), conducted a field tour of SFDA operations in Makkah. The visit focused on evaluating the readiness of regulatory services and the implementation of the Authority's operational plans for the pilgrimage season. Dr. Aljadhey emphasized to SFDA inspectors and monitors the critical importance of safeguarding the food and medicine consumed by pilgrims. He commended the dedication of teams deployed across all sites under SFDA's jurisdiction, describing their work as a national duty and an honor in service to the guests of the Holy Mosque. The tour included a visit to the SFDA's Hajj Operations Center, where Aljadhey reviewed real-time coordination with other government agencies, inspection monitoring procedures, and support systems in place for field teams. Officials demonstrated the use of advanced tools, including body-worn cameras, smart sensors, and digital inspection systems integrated with artificial intelligence, which help enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure the safety of products distributed during Hajj. Aljadhey also inspected SFDA's base in the regulatory zone of the Holy Sites area, which oversees surveillance of food factories and storage facilities. Field teams presented procedures for collecting food samples and sending them for lab testing to verify safety standards, using digital platforms that support traceability and rapid data analysis. The tour continued with a visit to Mina's Emergency Hospital, where Dr. Aljadhey met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Algwizani, CEO of the Public Health Authority 'Weqaya.' Discussions focused on collaborative efforts between the two entities to strengthen public health protections for pilgrims. At the National Health Emergency and Crisis Management Center, Aljadhey was briefed on integrated efforts by various health and regulatory authorities. He stressed the significance of coordination in managing health emergencies and enhancing regulatory effectiveness throughout the Hajj season. The SFDA teams showcased cutting-edge analytical and AI tools deployed to bolster public health oversight and ensure that all food and drug products meet stringent safety requirements, reinforcing the Authority's role in supporting a safe and seamless pilgrimage.


Arab News
25-05-2025
- Arab News
Food and drug checks intensify ahead of Hajj
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is continuing its proactive inspection campaigns as part of preparations for the Hajj season. The authority has conducted more than 1,329 field visits to food, medicine and medical device warehouses in Makkah and Madinah so far. These ongoing inspections and awareness efforts have led to a notable increase in compliance among facilities storing food and medicine for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. During the visits, inspection teams identified several warehouses that breached approved technical requirements and took the necessary legal actions. As a result, 44 warehouses were closed, and 349 violations were recorded, according to the SPA. To raise awareness, the authority launched a multilingual campaign that includes brochures outlining key product-handling requirements. It aims to improve safety and compliance at all facilities serving pilgrims. The authority intensifies efforts each Hajj season to ensure food, medicine, and medical products meet safety standards, helping minimize health risks and protect pilgrims' well-being.