The SFDA, represented by its food sector, organized a workshop entitled General Vision of a National Plan to Examine Residues of Drugs and Hormones in Food of Animal Origin''; lectured by Dr. Baveules Economedis, an European Union Expert, on Wednesday afternoon, 17-9-1429H that equals 17-9-2008, in the SFDA headquarter.
His Excellency Dr. Ibraheem bin Saad Almuhaize, the executive vice president of food affairs, stated that this is one of the SFDA efforts that work on preparing this plan, in order to participate with the designated authorities and give opportunity to discuss and inquire about the plan principles and mechanism. The plan is considered a part of the national comprehensive plan to examine pollutants residues as heavy metals, pesticides, pollutants of factories and environment which exist whether in nature or in the environment of manufacturing and agricultural production.
Dr. Almuhaize added that elementary vision about the national plan to examine residues of drugs and hormones in food of animal origin will be offered in future to discuss it with all relative parts in order to submit it to a technical committee to review it before proving it.
During the workshop, Dr. Baveules talked about regulations and different methods of withdrawing specimens; taking into account choosing the right specimen to analyze and circulating it properly. Secondly, he explained laboratories rules and methods of analysis and he concentrated on choosing as well as proving the right method of analysis; in addition, he stated that primary tests may be done as they have less costs and quick results; then confirmation tests could be proceeded. At the end of his speech, Dr. Baveules stressed on the importance of authorities and governmental establishments participation, clarifying that each authority has its own responsibility which must be bared properly to avoid any fault during the plan implementation.
After the lecture, questions and inquiries that focus on analysis methods and availability of materials and instruments needed were raised by attendants.
The lecture was attended by the faculty of Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Agriculture, Health and Municipality and Rural affairs, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, some concerned people from private and government sectors and some of SFDA concerned members.