The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Portuguese Food and Economic Safety Authority (AESA), paving the way for enhanced cooperation in food safety and regulatory excellence.
The signing took place in the presence of the Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, on the sidelines of the Saudi-Portuguese Joint Commission chaired by the ministry. The SFDA was represented at the signing ceremony by its CEO, Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, while the Portuguese side was represented by the Inspector General of ASAE, Luis Lourenço.
The MoU between SFDA and the Portuguese authority establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two bodies in their respective areas of expertise, enhancing capacity building and expanding the exchange of expertise.
Key areas of cooperation include exchanging, updating, and strengthening legislation, technical regulations, and standards; sharing expertise related to product registration, reporting mechanisms, and systems to support efficient oversight; collaborating on scientific evaluation methods and advanced risk analysis; and promoting greater alignment through joint initiatives, knowledge workshops, and continuous coordination to elevate overall regulatory efficiency and innovation.
This also includes cooperating on methods for collecting, transporting, and analyzing laboratory and reference samples, as well as strengthening procedures for monitoring, inspecting, and tracing product supply chains throughout their lifecycle.
This memorandum embodies the commitment of both the SFDA and AESA to advancing international cooperation, ultimately contributing to enhanced product safety and quality, improved efficiency and transparency of regulatory systems, and stronger joint efforts to protect consumers and support public health in both countries.
