Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is putting the final touches to a food safety draft law, said its chairman Dr. Muhammad Al-Kanhal. If passed by the Cabinet, the law will help ensure that all imported and indigenous foodstuff is in conformity with local specifications and internationally recognized standards. SFDA addresses public health issues relating to food, medicine and medical devices by conducting polls through its website. In 2005, a poll on whether Saudi Arabia's food poisoning rate was worse than in other Arab countries drew 45.5% yes votes and 40.5% no votes from respondents. Another poll showed that 52.4% of respondents were for publishing food poisoning statistics so as to boost consumer confidence in the local market. – Okaz __
