New food and drug penalties: fines up to 500,000 riyals
The Board of Directors of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) approved amendments to the schedule of violations and penalties stipulated in the Food Law and its implementing regulations. These food and drug penalties to strengthen oversight of food establishments, enhance compliance with health and technical requirements, and ensure food safety at all stages of production and handling to guarantee consumer health and protect them from harmful practices.
The Authority's journey in protecting society and ensuring food safety
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an independent regulatory body with the primary objective of ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices. Over the years, the SFDA has continuously updated its regulations and systems to keep pace with the rapid developments in the food industry and the growing market size. This latest update, based on Article 36 of the Food Law, reflects the Kingdom's commitment to applying the highest international standards in food control. It takes into account the classification of establishments according to their size (large, medium, small, and micro) and their division into regulatory categories to ensure greater fairness in assessing violations and ensuring that penalties are proportionate to the size of the establishment and the nature of its work.
The strategic dimensions of the updates and their local and international impact
The adoption of these stringent amendments carries significant implications that extend far beyond the local level. Domestically, this modernization directly contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of life and protect the public health of citizens and residents by providing safe and healthy food. Regionally and internationally, the application of rigorous regulatory standards increases the credibility of the Saudi market, attracts high-quality foreign investment in the food sector, and ensures that exported and imported products are subject to meticulous oversight, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for implementing food quality and safety standards.
Stricter penalties for food and drug regulations regarding licensing and product registration
The new amendments included stricter penalties for food and drug-related activities without prior licensing. Fines now reach 30,000 riyals for large establishments, 24,000 riyals for medium-sized ones, and 18,000 riyals for small ones, with a firm emphasis on eliminating the warning system for this violation. The regulations also impose fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 riyals for engaging in additional activities not included in the license. The decision further emphasized the mandatory registration of food products with the Authority, imposing a fine of up to 5,000 riyals for each unregistered product, with a maximum fine of 50,000 riyals.
Combating adulterated food and increasing trading fines
To ensure maximum protection, the Authority has amended its food safety penalties to be among the most severe in the system. Fines reach 100,000 riyals for large establishments dealing in adulterated or harmful food, and 60,000 riyals for small establishments. Penalties can be doubled in some cases, reaching up to 500,000 riyals per product, especially if it contains prohibited derivatives or toxic substances. Fines of up to 30,000 riyals are also imposed for failing to withdraw non-compliant products from the market, and 40,000 riyals for failing to implement withdrawal orders issued by the Authority.
Laboratory oversight and transportation and storage requirements
Regarding laboratories and technical testing, the amendments mandated that establishments conduct periodic inspections and imposed fines of up to 10,000 riyals for issuing incorrect test results or employing unqualified technicians. The regulations also prohibited the mixing of food with chemicals and pesticides, with fines reaching up to 20,000 riyals. Furthermore, the regulations devoted considerable attention to organizing warehouses and transportation, imposing strict penalties for non-compliance with temperature and cold chain requirements, and for operating unlicensed vehicles, to ensure that food reaches consumers in a safe and clean operating environment.
Protecting inspectors and preventing obstruction of oversight
To ensure the effectiveness of field inspections, the system imposes deterrent fines against anyone who attempts to obstruct the work of inspectors. The penalty reaches 30,000 riyals for preventing an inspector from entering the premises, and 20,000 riyals for obstructing their work in any way. The fine also reaches 100,000 riyals for resuming operations after a closure order has been issued, and 50,000 riyals for disposing of confiscated food without official approval from the authority. This underscores the regulatory bodies' firm commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting public health.
