The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), recently concluded the Hack4SaferPlates Hackathon, marking a significant milestone in advancing food safety innovation across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region.

Organized under the FAO Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Network, the two-day event was held on September 9–10, 2025 at SFDA headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and aimed to foster sustainable, tech-driven solutions to food safety challenges. The hackathon was attended by H.E. Hisham S. Aljadhey, Pharm.D., Ph.D., CEO of SFDA.

Participants included a diverse group of innovators, developers, and young professionals spanning the NENA region, who competed to design practical solutions that enhance food safety standards, enable early warning and rapid response to food risks, and reduce food loss throughout the supply chain.

The program featured targeted workshops and mentorship sessions led by regional and international experts, with support from partners including Berytech, CIHEAM Bari, ESTIDAMAH, Fermendom, FoodSight, and Goumbook. A final pitch competition was judged by a joint jury, which recognized the most innovative and scalable solutions tailored to the region’s needs.

“We are proud to have hosted this event and to have harnessed the potential of creative minds from across the region,” said H.E. Dr. Aljadhey. “Our partnership with FAO is a vital step in leveraging technology to enhance food safety. This collaboration embodies our commitment to supporting pioneering initiatives and building a safer, more sustainable food system, which ultimately contributes to consumer protection and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading regional center for innovation.”

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ahmad Mukhtar, P.G.D., Regional Program Leader for FAO’s NENA Regional Office, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration. “The Hackathon is an important milestone for the FAO-led Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Network. By bringing together bright minds to co-create solutions, we are fostering innovation that strengthens food safety systems and informs efficient policy. This collaborative spirit ensures that our region continues to advance towards healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food systems,” he said.

FAO’s Program Director in Saudi Arabia, H.E. Nizar Haddad, Ph.D., added that the Hack4SaferPlates initiative reflects a pioneering model of constructive collaboration between FAO and SFDA. The event served as a practical platform for empowering youth and researchers to transform creative ideas into actionable solutions, guided by a structured evaluation and judging process. These innovations support the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs)—particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). They also highlight the Kingdom’s commitment to science, research, and modern technologies in building safer agri-food systems, fully aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 and global excellence standards.

Both SFDA and FAO reaffirmed their commitment to expanding future collaboration and supporting the development of impactful, tech-enabled food safety solutions that ensure secure, sustainable, and resilient food systems in Saudi Arabia and beyond.