Saudi Food and Drug Authority the Need for Food Safety and Quality in Saudi Arabia. Food safety is assured by SFDA to make food products safe for consumption. All varieties of food products destined for Saudi Arabian markets must receive certification from SFDA if they are going to be sold and used there.
Testing Equipments
Testing Reports
Certification Served
The following types of organizations are eligible to receive the SFDA food certificate.
1. Local food manufacturers: Manufacturers from India who wants to export their food items to Saudi markets must meet compliance with SFDA.
2. International Food Manufacturers: Manufacturers outside of India who wants to export their food items to Saudi markets must meet compliance with SFDA.
3. Importers and Distributors: The importers and distributors of Saudi Arabia, who wants to sell the Indian products in Saudi Markets must also follows SFDA guidelines and apply for SFDA Certification for the products.
4. Retailers and Wholesalers: Retailers and Wholesalers are also liable to check whether the products they are selling follows the SFDA guideline or not.
5. Private Label Brands: Private labels should be given an assurance that the food they are packaging or selling is SFDA compliant.
6. Food Processors and Packagers: Every food modification and packaging should be SFDA compliant.
7. Exporters: SFDA certification is required to export as an assurance that all food coming out of the country is safe for consumption.
These documents will be needed for food products to comply with SFDA safety, quality, and labelling standards.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The product shall first be presented for our team’s consultation and documentation.
Step 2: Documentation Preparation
Preparing the complete documentation needed for SFDA Application.
Step 3: Online Application
Submitting the online application with proper documents and making payment of the concerned notified bodies and government fees.
Step 4: SFDA Review Process
Scrutiny of the application and the documents by SFDA Authorities.
Step 5: Facility Inspection (if necessary)
SFDA will visit the premises and inspect them against the regulatory compliance standards.
Step 6: Certification Issue
Upon satisfactory review and inspection by SFDA and Upon acceptance, SFDA shall issue food certification, thus allowing your product to be sold in the Saudi market.
1. Processed and Packaged Foods: Canned and Preserved Foods such as canned fruits, vegetable meat, and seafood, Snacks and Confectionery such as chips, chocolates, candies, and other snack products, Ready-to-Eat Meals are packaged or processed meals that are almost ready for consumption through minimal preparation and Frozen Foods comprise frozen meals, vegetables, fruits, and frozen desserts.
2. Beverages: Like Non-Alcoholic Beverages include juices, soft drinks, bottled water, energy drinks, and flavoured drinks, Beverage Products instant coffee, tea bags, flavoured teas, Dairy Drinks flavoured milk, lassi, and yoghurt-based drinks.
3. Dairy: like Dairy Milk and Cream pasteurized, UHT, sterilized milk, Cheese hard cheese, soft cheese, processed cheese, cheese spreads, yoghurt and Fermented Dairy yoghurt, kefir, sour cream, etc, Butter and Dairy Fats butter, ghee, etc.
4. Bakery Products: Such as packaged or fresh bread, buns, and rolls, Cakes and Pastries, packaged cakes, pies, muffins, and pastries. sweet and savoury packaged biscuits and crackers.
5. Meat and Poultry: Products like fresh, frozen, or processed meat (beef, lamb, goat), chicken, turkey, and other poultry products, sausages, salami, and luncheon meats.
6. Seafood: like fresh, frozen, or processed fish and seafood products, canned tuna, sardines, and other seafood
7. Fruits and Vegetables: like whole or cut fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, canned, pickled, or preserved fruits and vegetables
8. oils and fats: like Vegetable Oils including olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, and other edible oils, Animal Fats including lard, tallow, and other edible animal fats and packaged margarine, butter substitutes, and spreads.
9. Baby and Infant Foods: like Powdered or liquid formula for babies, baby food such as cereals, pureed fruits, and vegetables and Infant Snacks biscuits, crackers, and other snacks meant for babies.
There are three main certificates you usually need for every food shipment to Saudi Arabia:
Certificate of Conformity (CoC): This is the most critical document. It proves your shipment has been inspected and meets SFDA standards. It is issued by an SFDA-approved body (like Intertek or SGS) in your country.
Health Certificate: An official document from your local government (e.g., FSSAI or Export Inspection Council in India) stating the food is fit for human consumption.
Halal Certificate: Mandatory for all meat and animal-based products (and often required for processed foods containing animal derivatives). It must come from a Halal center recognized by the Saudi Halal Center.
To satisfy SFDA requirements and international buyers, the “best” certifications are those recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative):
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point): The foundational requirement. Most Saudi buyers insist on this at a minimum.
ISO 22000: A step above HACCP, covering the entire management system.
FSSC 22000: The “Gold Standard” for food manufacturing. It is highly respected by the SFDA and major Saudi retailers (like Panda, Othaim, etc.).
The SFDA authorizes Certification Bodies (CBs) to handle testing and issuance of certificates. You should contact these bodies; they will collect samples and test them in their approved labs:
Intertek India
SGS India
TÜV SÜD South Asia
TÜV Rheinland
Cotecna
QIMA
Geo-Chem Laboratories
Registration is done via the GHAD (or FRCS) electronic system. You (the exporter) generally cannot do this alone; your Saudi Importer must do it:
Facility Listing: The importer adds your factory details to their SFDA account.
Product Registration: The importer uploads your product label (artwork), ingredient list, and shelf-life details to the system.
Approval: SFDA reviews the data. Once approved, the product is “Listed” and can be shipped.
Yes. The SFDA is one of the strictest and most respected regulators in the Middle East and globally.
They are harmonized with Codex Alimentarius (international food standards).
They hold WHO Maturity Level 4 (the highest level) for medicines regulation.
An SFDA approval is often accepted as a benchmark of quality by other Gulf (GCC) countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
For food, “SFDA Approval” typically refers to Product Registration/Listing.
It means the SFDA has reviewed your packaging, ingredients, and nutritional information and confirmed they meet Saudi Regulations (GSO Standards).
Note: Unlike drugs, the SFDA does not “approve” food factories in the same way, but they do require you to be “Listed” and may request a Technical Audit of your factory if you export high-risk products (like meat or dairy).
This refers to the Shipment Certificate (CoC). Here is the process:
Register the Product: Ensure your Saudi importer has registered the item in the SFDA system.
Contact a Body: Call an approved agency (like Intertek/SGS) in your country.
Submit Request: Provide them with your Invoice, Packing List, and the Product Registration number.
Inspection & Testing: The agency will sample your goods and test them (for heavy metals, pork traces, etc.).
Issuance: If passed, they issue the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) via the “FASEH” platform. This certificate is required to clear Saudi Customs.
