Penalties for adulterated food: fines up to 500,000 riyals
In a decisive step to ensure consumer safety, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has approved comprehensive amendments to the schedule of violations and penalties stipulated in the Food Law and its implementing regulations. Penalties for adulterated food at the forefront of these amendments, aiming to strengthen oversight of food establishments, raise compliance with health and technical requirements, and ensure food safety at all stages of production and distribution.
Ongoing efforts to enhance food security in the Kingdom
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken upon itself the responsibility of providing a safe and healthy food environment for its citizens and residents. Since the establishment of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), relevant authorities have worked to update regulations and legislation periodically to keep pace with the rapid developments in the food industry. This latest amendment, based on Article 36 of the Food Law, represents an extension of national efforts aimed at achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in improving quality of life and ensuring food security according to the highest international standards.
Dimensions and effects of tightening control locally and internationally
This regulatory update is of paramount importance and far-reaching impact. Domestically, it ensures the protection of public health from the risks associated with spoiled or substandard food. Regionally and internationally, the application of stringent standards enhances the confidence of trading partners in Saudi food exports and underscores the Kingdom's commitment to international food safety agreements, thereby contributing to attracting reliable foreign investment to the food and logistics sector.
Details of penalties for adulterated food and serious violations
The authority amended the penalties related to food safety and handling to be among the most severe in the system. The penalty for adulterated or harmful food can reach a fine of 100,000 riyals for large establishments and 60,000 riyals for small establishments. In cases of serious violations, penalties can reach 500,000 riyals per product. The system also includes high financial penalties for handling food containing prohibited derivatives, expired products, or contaminated foods. Establishments are required to implement traceability systems and maintain records for a minimum of 180 days after the expiration date, otherwise a fine of up to 5,000 riyals will be imposed.
Strict fines for violations of licenses and product registration
The amendments included stricter penalties for operating a food establishment without a license, with fines reaching 30,000 riyals for large establishments, 24,000 riyals for medium-sized establishments, and 18,000 riyals for small establishments. The amendments also stipulated that warnings would not be issued for this violation. Fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 riyals were imposed 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.
Mandatory immediate reporting and product withdrawal from the market
The amendment emphasizes the responsibility of establishments to respond swiftly to emergencies. Fines of up to 25,000 riyals are imposed for failure to report non-compliant or suspected food products, and these increase to 30,000 riyals for failing to recall products from the market. Penalties also include fines of up to 40,000 riyals for failure to implement recall orders issued by the Authority, in addition to fines ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 riyals for failing to submit periodic reports on recall operations. No warnings will be issued due to the serious risks these actions pose to public health.
Consumer protection through food label transparency
The decision prioritized consumer protection, imposing fixed fines of 5,000 riyals per product for lack of a nutritional label or misleading information, with a total fine cap of 50,000 riyals. Establishments were also required to display allergen warnings. Penalties for inaccurate or non-compliant information included fines ranging from 300 to 1,000 riyals.
Transportation, storage, and safe working environment requirements
The regulations strictly prohibit mixing food with chemicals such as pesticides and detergents, imposing fines of up to 20,000 riyals. Fines are also levied for non-compliance with transportation and storage requirements related to temperature and cold chains. Regarding the operational environment, a fine of 10,000 riyals is imposed for detecting pests or insects within food handling areas, and 5,000 riyals for sanitation violations. Smoking is also prohibited inside food establishments, with a fine of 1,000 riyals, to protect food from contamination.
Strict oversight of laboratories and technical tests
The amendments mandated that food establishments conduct periodic product inspections, imposing fines ranging from 1,400 to 5,000 riyals for non-compliance. Penalties also included employing unqualified technicians and imposing fines ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 riyals for issuing incorrect test results, with the option of issuing warnings being eliminated due to the technical risks involved.
Firmly addressing the obstruction of inspection and oversight operations
To ensure inspectors can perform their duties, the regulations impose hefty fines of up to 100,000 riyals for resuming operations after a closure order. Penalties also include a 30,000 riyal fine for preventing an inspector from entering the premises, a 20,000 riyal fine for obstructing their work, and a 10,000 riyal fine for removing official closure notices. The fine can reach 50,000 riyals for disposing of confiscated food without the authority's approval.
A regulatory framework that balances warnings and the application of penalties
The updated schedule takes into account the classification of food establishments according to their size (large, medium, small, and micro) and their division into regulatory categories (A, B, C, and D), ensuring greater fairness in assessing penalties and their proportionality to the severity of the violation. For the first time, the Authority has allowed the application of warnings for certain minor regulatory violations, while direct and hefty fines are applied to violations that directly affect consumer health and safety.
