Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey has led the authority’s delegation at the 7th Annual Meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF), held in Auckland, New Zealand, with participation from global food regulatory leaders and senior representatives of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
During a keynote session titled ‘Trust in Times of Uncertainty’, Aljadhey highlighted the importance of reshaping trust-building approaches to strengthen food safety and ensure sustainable supply chains amid growing global challenges.
Aljadhey stated that building trust remains a strategic priority that depends on stronger international integration, science-based decision-making, and consistent transparency in communication.
The SFDA CEO outlined several practices aimed at improving the accuracy of regulatory decisions, reducing risks, and maintaining food supply continuity. He pointed to the SFDA’s efforts to enhance transparency and integration, which contribute to system readiness and reinforce food safety through more reliable supply chains.
He added that shifting from reactive responses to proactive measures improves preparedness and risk mitigation, citing Saudi Arabia’s effective handling of global supply chain and food safety challenges. He stressed that trust is ultimately measured by tangible outcomes.
The IHFAF forum’s agenda featured sessions focused on exchanging expertise and addressing key issues, including food safety standards, emerging risks, and stakeholder collaboration. Participants also examined the global challenge of food-related misinformation and discussed strategies to limit its spread.
The IHFAF is a global initiative aimed at aligning international efforts to improve food safety and quality. Saudi Arabia played a key role in establishing the forum, with the SFDA serving as a founding member and permanent secretariat. Riyadh hosted the inaugural IHFAF meeting in 2020, underscoring the Kingdom’s influence in the global regulatory landscape.
