Saudi Arabia Leads Global Adoption of 1st International Standard for Fresh Dates
Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant international milestone in the food sector as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), during its 48th session held from November 10 to 14 at the FAO headquarters in Rome, officially adopted the world’s first international standard for fresh dates.
According to a press release issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), this milestone was realized while the Kingdom co-chaired the working group responsible for developing the standard.
The global adoption underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the dates industry, in which it is recognized as the world’s largest exporter of dates. It also highlights the Kingdom’s active and influential role in shaping international food standards. Furthermore, it reflects the SFDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the global food standards system and enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products in international markets.
The new standard was developed through close collaboration between the SFDA and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, with support from various national entities involved in the dates sector. Additionally, this coordinated effort aims to reinforce the Kingdom’s international presence, boost export performance, and elevate the global value of Saudi dates.
According to the SFDA, the international standard seeks to improve the quality and safety of fresh dates while facilitating global trade by establishing unified, comprehensive specifications that harmonize food standards among member states. This harmonization will enhance trust and reliability in the international date market.
SFDA
The SFDA emphasized that this achievement demonstrates the Kingdom’s technical and regulatory leadership in the development of international standards. The adoption of the standard will strengthen the global competitiveness of Saudi dates, expand their market reach, and contribute positively to the national economy and non-oil exports.
Finally, this accomplishment aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for date production, innovation, and trade.
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