SFDA Chief launches smart verification tool for regulated products

Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), launched a smart tool named ProVerifier for verifying regulated products in Riyadh. The product verification tool was presented during the 5th edition of LEAP 2026, a gathering of technology leaders and innovators in Riyadh.

Aljadhey revealed that ProVerifier was conceptualized within the SFDA Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) and built by Saudi national talents. The tool uses a single image of product packaging or label to verify compliance with regulations. It is intended to work as an intelligent aid to field inspectors, allowing them to make decisions more rapidly and accurately.

Aljadhey emphasized that this tool is part of a broader initiative by the SFDA to transition towards a regulatory system that increasingly uses data and artificial intelligence. By providing inspectors with product information during fieldwork, this initiative aims to speed up procedures while preserving the precision of regulatory decisions.

The tool works by taking a single image of product packaging or labels, after which it uses AI to extract data, cross-reference it with approved regulations and standards, and provide an indicative result in seconds. The implementation of ProVerifier is expected to improve regulatory efficiency, standardize verification protocols, cut verification time, and lessen operational burdens.

This ultimately will enhance the safety of imported and circulating products while optimizing the quality and efficiency of regulatory operations at points of entry.

At launch, the tool will primarily focus on pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, with plans to extend its coverage to food products and medical devices in future phases. Through this launch, the SFDA aims to cut product verification time by up to 98 percent, with a response time of only six to 20 seconds. This significant improvement enables inspectors to examine a much higher number of products per inspection visit, maximize their output, and redirect vital resources toward high-risk areas.

This move is in line with the SFDA's broader strategy to modernize its regulatory ecosystem using advanced technology and innovation. The aim is to empower domestic talent, improve operational performance, and drive sustainable public health outcomes and product safety.