The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, met with the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), Dr. Allan Azegele, in a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the CAC 49th session, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6–10.

The meeting was attended by the Vice-Chairpersons of the Codex Alimentarius Commission: Khaled Al-Zahrani (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Betul Fazgeçer (Republic of Türkiye), and Jing Tian (People’s Republic of China).

During the discussions, the officials explored a range of topics of mutual interest, including opportunities for implementing joint training programs and workshops for member states and observers. Additionally, they reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts in capacity building through the SFDA Academy.

Dr. Aljadhey affirmed Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its Strategic Plan (2026–2031), emphasizing the pivotal role the Commission plays in developing international food standards, enhancing food safety, and protecting consumer health globally.

The SFDA CEO also presented the book “Saudi Food Composition Tables,” which highlights the diversity and nutritional value of traditional Saudi dishes. The Chairperson and Secretariat of the Codex, along with the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), praised the SFDA's efforts in preparing the publication, noting its value as a scientific reference that supports food data and reflects the richness of Saudi culinary heritage.

Notably, the FAO has published the “Saudi Food Composition Tables” book on its official website and integrated the Saudi Food Compositions database into its international INFOODS platform. This global recognition highlights the SFDA's and the Kingdom’s growing influence in international forums, while showcasing the high scientific value of their contributions to global organizations.