SFDA and Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Food Safety

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Berlin, establishing a comprehensive framework for joint cooperation in the fields of food safety and risk assessment. The signing took place on the sidelines of the official visit of H.E. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, Minister of Health and Chairman of the SFDA Board of Directors, to the Federal Republic of Germany. H.E. the Minister of Health led the SFDA delegation, and the MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al-Nasser, SFDA Vice President for the Food Sector. From the German side, the signing was attended by Dr. Monika Lahrssen-Wiederholt, Head of Department at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMLEH), while Professor Dr. h.c. Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR, signed the MoU. At the core of the MoU is the establishment of a dedicated network of food safety risk assessors from both authorities, with a particular emphasis on the safety of food contact materials and packaging, and their impact on food safety. To further strengthen global food safety, the MoU facilitates the exchange of information and best practices related to the use of artificial intelligence in risk assessment, as well as the assessment of innovative products developed through biotechnology and AI. This includes mutual reporting on product safety, efficacy, and assessment methodologies. The partnership will also be advanced through reciprocal visits, joint workshops, and collaborative training programs. This strategic collaboration underscores the commitment of both the SFDA and BfR to building a modern, data-driven, and future-ready food regulatory system that supports public health at the national and international levels.