SFDA Concludes an agreement with Michigan University in the Field of Food Safety Control
2012-11-04
SFDA Concluded an agreement with Michigan University for cooperation in the Field of Food Safety Control. SFDA was represented in this agreement by H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mehaizie, VP for Food Sector, while Dr. G. I. Grey, Deputy Chairman for Research & Post Graduate Studies, represented Michigan University.
The purpose of this agreement is to benefit from a group of experts in the field of food safety, in coordination with Michigan University to help SFDA to in building their capabilities in order to enhance food safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.
In his speech, the VP for Food Affairs said:” We welcome this partnership between Michigan University & SFDA represented by Food Sector which is the responsible entity for monitoring the safety of food, feed and pesticides. We hope this partnership will contribute to increasing the ability of monitoring the safety of food, feed and pesticides in the Kingdom. We also hope our brothers in the GCC states will benefit from this partnership as well all work through GCC Food Safety Committee to enhance food safety in all countries in the region.”
At his part, Professor and Head of Food & Nutrition Department of Michigan University said:” This is an important opportunity for applying the famous international experience of Michigan University in the field of food safety to enforce knowledge and regulatory infrastructure of SFDA. Michigan University will seek assistance from non-profit organizations and key food industries professions i.e. the international institute for food protection, Michigan, which is a non-profit organization offering practical training to develop SFDA employee capabilities in its attached training institute” .
Dr. Julia Bradshire, the chief executive officer of the institute which was established in 2009 for training of FDA employees said,: “ We look forward to this new partnership between Michigan University and SFDA to contribute to the establishment of a regional academy for food safety, by benefiting from the experience of the institute in providing essential training programs that will develop the regional capabilities in protection the safety of food supplies.
The agreement with Michigan University covers several fields including:
• Post-Graduate studies for SFDA employees, e.g. Master’s and PhD degrees.
• Training and skill development of SFDA’s employees, particularly in the new monitoring & control fields created by SFDA e.g. control of packing & wrapping materials, monitoring of pesticides and causes of diseases that are carried by food.
• Provide technical consultation to help improvement of SFDA ‘s ability of supervising food safety and to expand its regulatory infrastructure.
• Assist in establishment of GCC Academy to continue capability building in the Kingdom & GCC States in the field of food safety monitoring.
• Participate in implementation of research projects that focus on resolution of food safety issues related to KSA & GCC and the world, in cooperation with Michigan University, SFDA & Kingdom’s universities scientists.
It worth mentioning t hat Michigan University is over 150 years of age and is concerned with researches at the international level, particularly in the field of food. The university allocates its huge resources for seeking solutions to the most critical international challenges and to offer diverse and comprehensive academic opportunities through more than 200 study programs in 17 colleges.
