Amman, May 20 (Petra) — Director General of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Nizar Mheidat and CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Hisham Jadhei signed a memorandum of understanding in food and pharmaceuticals on Tuesday in Amman.

During a visit by a Saudi delegation to the JFDA, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in food, drug and medical supplies sectors. Mheidat highlighted that the visit and the memo are a “strategic” step toward strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasised that the implementation of the memorandum would be expedited to facilitate trade exchange, promote integration and partnership in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and support exports serving the economic interests of both nations.

He noted that the discussions focused on exchanging information to ensure the safety and efficacy of food products and medicines, sharing expertise in medicine pricing and medical supplies, establishing electronic connectivity and maintaining ongoing meetings.

He outlined JFDA’s efforts in food control and inspection, including monitoring good health practices across the food supply chain, accrediting laboratories as reference labs and equipping them with advanced technology to ensure accurate results.

Mheidat discussed plans to develop laboratories, expand international accreditation scopes, activate food product tracking systems in markets, implement comprehensive risk assessment systems for imported foods, develop digital tools for food risk monitoring and strengthen regional partnerships.

Jadhei stated that improving food and drug safety directly enhances quality of life and public health. He underscored that this goal is central to the cooperation between the two agencies.

He noted that the SFDA is one of the leading regulatory bodies in the region, having launched operations in 2003, and has successfully established itself as a key reference authority regionally.

The visit was attended by Director General of the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO), Abeer Zuhair; Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Mohammed Hyari; and Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Embassy Minister Plenipotentiary Mohammed Mounes.

//Petra// AK
20/05/2025 19:49:56