SFDA CEO Participates in the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva

The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, is leading Saudi Arabia’s delegation at the 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6 to 10, 2026. The session is attended by Codex leadership, representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as delegates from member and observer states.

The session opened with remarks from the FAO Director-General, the WHO Director-General, and the Chairperson of the CAC, Dr. Allan Azegele.

During the meeting, delegates discussed several agenda items related to the work of the Codex Alimentarius specialized committees, capacity-building initiatives, and scientific support. The session also addressed emerging issues in global food safety and reviewed the implementation report of the Codex Strategic Plan.

The CAC is a joint body of the FAO and the WHO. Established in 1963, it comprises 189 member states and oversees the development of international food standards through its various committees and specialized technical working groups.

Saudi Arabia joined the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1968 and currently holds the position of Vice-Chair of the Commission, a role it assumed in 2024. The Kingdom is also an active member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission's Executive Committee.