Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, will share its food safety and hygiene expertise at the third Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) exhibition and conference, the largest annual event for food, drug and medical devices in Saudi Arabia which runs from September 30 until October 2 at the Riyadh International Conference & Exhibition Centre.

In addition to sharing information on the latest solutions to help ensure food safety, guest and patient safety, and hygiene & product quality, Dr. Ludgar Grunwald, Ecolab director of Regulatory Affairs and an internationally recognised food chemist, will address the SFDA conference on ‘Ensuring Consumer Protection Through the Application of Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Cleaning Agents from Farm to Fork, Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Their Use.’

“Evaluating the safety of food-related antimicrobial and cleaning chemicals differs across the globe. This makes it challenging for stakeholders to consistently address their safety,” explained Dr Grunwald, who represents Ecolab on the Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Food Safety Initiative Working Group ‘Chemicals in Food Hygiene.’
 
“While food safety management systems, including Codex, GFSI guidance and FDA regulations are well established, there is a need for joint management of new residue challenges to enable seamless partnerships across industries that satisfy consumer expectations of ‘zero’ risk. The SFDA presentation will illustrate the industry position on the use of sanitizers, disinfectants and cleaning agents and its relationship with microbial resistance.”
 
Dr Grunwald’s address comes as Saudi Arabia’s foodservice market is forecast to reach $31.6 billion (approximately SR118.5) by 2024, growing at a compound average growth rate of 5.9 per cent, according to Mordor Intelligence.

“The kingdom’s F&B sector is on a growth fast track fueled by investment in new hospitality and entertainment facilities aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 recreation and tourism ambitions and its aim of developing public service health,” explained Grunwald. “The size of market growth is astonishing with as many as 50 hotels planned for Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project alone.

“But as investment towards tourism continues, so do the fundamentals which can make or break reputations, and international hygiene standards is one of them. Ecolab works to help improve hygiene standards and sanitize equipment used to process, prepare or serve food, as well as detergents and cleansers to sanitize a variety of surfaces. We are ready to help meet the kingdom’s ambitions and ensure that the best hygiene solutions are implemented wherever they may be needed.”

Dr. Grunwald is a world authority on food hygiene and has been a key speaker at important industry forums across Middle East, Asia, Europe and the USA. Delegates to the SFDA conference will gain key learnings from his extensive expertise, which can help position Saudi Arabia’s F&B sector as one of the safest and most advanced in the world. - TradeArabia News Service