AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, held a series of strategic bilateral meetings with international regulatory counterparts on the sidelines of the 7th International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF) in Auckland.
Aljadhey held talks with Katie Pettifer, CEO of the Food Standards Agency in the UK, during which they discussed the impact of nutrition policies and aligning regulatory methodologies to support evidence-based governance.
He also met Gerard Bakker, inspector general of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, and explored ways to deepen technical cooperation and exchange expertise.
Aljadhey also held talks with Ingunn Midttun Godal, director general of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
He concluded his meetings with Vincent Arbuckle of New Zealand Food Safety, expressing appreciation for New Zealand’s hosting of the forum and underscoring the SFDA’s aspiration for outcomes that enhance international coordination and regulatory coherence.
The IHFAF is an annual platform that convenes global regulatory leaders to harmonize efforts and strengthen the safety and quality of food systems. Held this year under the theme “Risk Communication,” the forum continues to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s leadership as a founding member.
The Kingdom, through the SFDA, has hosted the forum’s secretariat since its inception more than six years ago, playing a central role in driving collective international action on food safety.
