Unpacking the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)

NAZLEY JORDAN

The SFDA was launched in 2003 in response to concerns about the safety and quality of food and drug products in the Saudi market. Due to its arid and water-scarce environment, the country was previously very reliant on food imports, so it began heavily investing in domestic food production and diversifying its food sources. Prior to the launch of the SDFA, there were few regulations in place, which posed a significant risk to public health. The Kingdom has since made tremendous progress in food production, distribution and security.

Today the Authority’s main objectives include:

Strengthened regulatory framework

The SFDA has introduced a range of regulations, guidelines, and standards for foods, drugs, medicines, and diagnostic devices that are imported or locally made, which has helped to reduce the risk of harm to consumers. By streamlining the regulatory process for imports and exports it has become easier for companies to do business in the country. This has helped to attract foreign investment and develop the healthcare and food manufacturing industries.

Inspection and testing

A number of inspection and testing programmes and laboratories were established, which aim to monitor compliance with the SDFA’s standards. Strict penalties have been implemented for companies that fail to comply with the country’s regulations.

Furthermore, the SDFA’s food traceability system allows for the tracking of food products from the point of origin to consumption, which helps to identify and address any issues that may arise during the production, processing, or distribution of food products. This helps to identify any potential health dangers and minimise the risk of foodborne illness.

Consumer awareness

The SFDA publishes regular articles and updates to inform consumers about developments in food, drug safety and medical device safety. It also publishes information that dispels myths, provides clarity on rumours and issues warnings about products that may be contaminated.

In 2020, the SFDA issued new regulations requiring all food products sold to be labeled with a clear and accurate list of ingredients, as well as a nutrition label. It also has a public database that lists approved products and companies enabling consumers to make informed decisions when shopping.

Earlier this year, the Smart Shopper campaign was launched, which aims to increase awareness about healthy eating choices, safe shopping, food waste and nutritional claims.

Overall, the SFDA's efforts to improve food security have helped to ensure that the country has a more secure food supply and all of its citizens have access to safe and nutritious food.

+966 11 203 8222 @saudi_fda