The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has further solidified its international scientific standing by officially joining the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
JECFA announced the appointment of Ms. Najla Al-Harbi, Head of the Chemical Risks Section in the Food Sector at the SFDA, to the Committee’s Roster of Experts. This appointment underscores the SFDA's leading role in the development of international food safety standards and highlights the exceptional scientific expertise of Saudi nationals in the specialized fields of risk assessment. Furthermore, it reflects the SFDA’s high level of professionalism in representing the Kingdom on international platforms that directly influence global food policies.
JECFA is an international scientific expert committee administered jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is responsible for assessing the safety of food additives, contaminants, and veterinary drug residues, as well as establishing critical health guidelines such as Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI). These guidelines form the scientific foundation for the Codex Alimentarius Commission standards and internationally recognized regulatory frameworks for food safety.
Through its active representation on this Committee, the SFDA extends the Kingdom’s role in shaping science-based international food standards by proactively defining food standards and aligning national frameworks with the latest globally adopted reference practices. This role reinforces international confidence in the SFDA’s efforts to regulate food safety and protect public health worldwide.
This achievement aligns with the SFDA’s strategic objectives to advance risk assessment methodologies, build specialized national capabilities, and utilize scientific tools to support regulatory decision-making. Ultimately, this participation enhances the efficiency of the food safety system, bolsters consumer confidence, and contributes to the ambitious objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.