Food safety organisations in Saudi Arabia – Organisational, historical and future analysis

Food safety organisations around the world are increasingly seeking to develop public policies to protect society, improve the economy, and ensure food safety and quality, by reducing the risks of food-borne illnesses, commercial adulteration, and food fraud. These risks present real threats to the food industry worldwide. The development of these organisations often revolves around reform of their systems, focussing on law, regulations, and improving the performance of enforcement officials. This article analyses the historical development of food safety organisations in Saudi Arabia, including the structures and functions of government and non-government organisations. It focuses on the official decisions contributing to public policy leading to the growth and expansion of these organisations, their roles and their functions. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), a central authority, has recently been established in order to unify enforcement and legislative roles in food safety previously carried out by different Saudi government organisations. Several current and future challenges to food safety in Saudi are identified and discussed.