The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has been re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission during its 49th session held in Geneva, Switzerland. This re-election extends Saudi Arabia’s leadership role within the Codex through the conclusion of its 50th regular session scheduled for 2027.

This achievement reflects international confidence in the Kingdom's growing role and contributions to the work of Codex. It highlights Saudi Arabia's contributions to developing science-based international food standards, fostering harmonization among member states, and enhancing capacity building through joint training programs and workshops for member and observer states.

The SFDA CEO, H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, expressed his pride in the Kingdom's re-election as a Vice-Chairperson, emphasizing that this milestone embodies the continuous support and empowerment provided by the wise leadership. He added that it reflects the prominent international standing the Kingdom has achieved in food safety and public health.

Dr. Aljadhey indicated that Saudi Arabia will continue to champion the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s mission and its Strategic Plan (2026–2031) and remains committed to actively contributing to the development of international food standards aligned with scientific advancements, thereby enhancing food safety, protecting consumer health, and supporting the sustainability of global food supply chains and international trade.

The Vice-Chairperson position is held by Mr. Khalid bin Saud Al-Zahrani, who was originally elected in 2024 and re-elected in 2025. In this role, Mr. Al-Zahrani continues to support the Codex and its various committees, strengthening the Kingdom's presence and contribution to shaping international food policies and standards.

Established in 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is the international body responsible for setting food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to ensure food safety and quality. Comprising 189 member states, it operates under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Saudi Arabia joined the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1968. Since 2024, the Kingdom has held one of its Vice-Chairperson positions and serves on the Commission’s Executive Committee.