Experts call for adoption of best practices in food manufacturing JEDDAH - Food and nutrition experts urged the adoption of more best practices in the food manufacturing industry during the Fifth Saudi Conference for Food and Nutrition, which was held recently at the Madareem Crown Hotel in Riyadh. The event was held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Muteb Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and carried this year's theme “Food technology, control and healthy nutrition.” Organized annually by the Saudi Society for Food and Nutrition, the conference was attended by local and international physicians, scientists and specialists in the field of food and nutrition with lectures delivered by leading industry experts from Saudi Arabia, Canada, US, Kuwait and Egypt. In line with this, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., a leading producer of dairy products and juices in the Kingdom, organized a special tour of the company's production facilities for the conference participants. Hosted in coordination with King Saud University, the visit allowed the delegates to get a better understanding of the Kingdom's food preparation and manufacturing industry. Monther Al Harthi, CEO, Al Rabie, said “several measures have been taken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve and develop the country's food industry. Major concerns like introducing more policies focusing on protecting the consumer; organizing markets and improving competitiveness in terms of food preparation and production led to the creation of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. At the same time, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority aims to enhance food safety and introduce more policies and procedures to improve the food industry as a whole.” “Moreover, we are very humbled by the commendation from the visiting participants of the Fifth Saudi Conference for Food and Nutrition. The delegation lauded Al Rabie for its unique facilities and adoption of high quality production line standards. The visit has allowed them to witness our operations and see first-hand how our production methods duly comply with the prescribed standards and criteria set by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority,” Al Harthi added. During the conference, participants discussed major topics concerning the food manufacturing industry, such as the development of nanotechnology as a means to improve food preparation; obesity and how to prevent it; ensuring efficient and uninterrupted food supply services during natural calamities and crisis; and the need to adopt more benchmark practices and regulations as a means to manage food safety and security.
