The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, conducted an inspection visit to several facilities in Jeddah, including the Authority's branch office in the Western Region. This visit aimed to monitor operational progress and ensure the effectiveness of services to safeguard product safety. It is part of a series of routine tours across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance oversight of products under the SFDA's jurisdiction.

Dr. Aljadhey interacted with citizens utilizing the services of the Business Support Center at the Jeddah branch, gathering their feedback and insights. He reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to improving service quality and enhancing the customer experience, aligning with its ongoing efforts to elevate performance standards.

A key focus of the SFDA's laboratory efforts is the continuous improvement of methods for detecting pesticide residues and chemical contaminants that may affect food products during manufacturing. The Authority currently possesses the technical capability to identify over 500 types of pesticide residues, with plans to expand this to approximately 700 types within the year.

Dr. Aljadhey was also briefed on laboratory initiatives to detect mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, which can arise from inadequate storage conditions. He emphasized the importance of employing qualified personnel and utilizing advanced equipment to prevent non-compliant products from entering local markets.

Additionally, the visit included a meeting with Eng. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab Sharian, General Manager of the Western Region for Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), at the SFDA branch office in Jeddah. They discussed opportunities for collaboration to support investors and enhance local industries, particularly within the food cluster in Jeddah, thereby increasing local content in food and drug manufacturing and bolstering the national economy.