The International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) convened its first meeting of 2025 at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Held on February 19-20, 2025, the meeting was opened by Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Nasser, SFDA Vice President for the Food Sector, who welcomed the international experts in food safety from the UK, Ireland, Australia, Italy, and South Korea.

Dr. Al-Nasser highlighted the ISAB's vital role in supporting the SFDA's mission by providing scientific counsel and discussing local and global food safety challenges, ultimately strengthening consumer health protection.

The agenda encompassed diverse specialized topics, including chemical and microbial risks in food and feed, the application of artificial intelligence in risk assessment, antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of modern data in risk assessment. A key focus was on developing comprehensive food consumption data to refine scientific evaluations and regulatory policies.

Individual advisory sessions facilitated direct consultations between ISAB members and SFDA officials, enabling specialized recommendations on current and future food safety issues.

The ISAB, comprised of leading international experts, serves as a crucial platform for scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing, contributing to the advancement of food safety standards nationally and internationally.