Saudi Food & Drug Authority
Khaled Ali Aldahami D.V.M; MSc
Head of foreign establishments inspection section
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA (KSA)
Population : 32,770,375 * Capital : Riyadh
Area: 2,240,000 km2(865,000 mi2).
*According to the 2017 SA census
An Overview (SFDA)
Medical Devices
Saudi Food & Drug Authority Sectors
Drug
FOOD
Food Sector
FOOD SECTOR
FOOD
PESTICIDE FEED
Food Sector
There are 3 Main areas in food sector
Main Objective
To assure the safety of food and enhance its wholesomeness throughout food chain
Our Vision
To build an effective regulatory system which elevates food safety and quality from production to consumption.
Our Mission
Apply an integrated control system based on the scientific basis and transparency, and achieve high levels of food safety and quality, with the
participation of relevant parties.
Legislative:
The development and adoption of regulations & standards on food safety and quality as well as feed & pesticide safety.
Regulatory:
To develop Food control system based on Modern concepts.
Inspection:
Inspection services of imports, exports and local production of food, feed and pesticides for compliance with approved std.
Laboratories:
To operate modernized food control laboratories to strengthen their role in food control system.
Scope of work
Monitoring:
To develop a national program for monitoring pesticides and environmental contaminants residues in foods.
Awareness:
Raising awareness on food safety issues and related matters among various stakeholders in Saudi community.
Research & Development:
To conduct studies and research that contribute to the strengthening of consumer confidence in safety and quality of food in local markets.
Complete and run the procedures of application for registration of imported food, importers, foreign establishments.
Establish country and establishments list.
inspect food consignments at the BIP through 9 ports and 22 inspection centers at the level of the regions of the Kingdom
Tasks
Enforcement of regulations on exporting food establishments and the application .
Follow‐up and monitoring of food products reported by the rapid alert center of the Authority.
SFDA Labs
Examination and analysis of local and imported food products to ensure their validity for human consumption and compliance with the approved standard specifications (SFDA/government agencies).
7 laboratories certified ISO 17025
Food Import condition
Food Import condition to KSA.
• According to Art. 7 KSA FOOD ACT and the referring byelaw.
• The objective of this document:
1. Explain the requirement and condition of exporting food to Saudi Arabia.
2. To assure the relative competent authority in exporting country of fulfilling relative Saudi technical regulation and standards.
3. To assure the food safety and facilitate the International food trade.
Main Chapters:
• Import condition
• monitoring of food in exporting country
• Control of food in exporting countries
• Legislation of exporting country
• Import requirements
• General import requirements safety of products
• Health certification
• Halal certification
Main Chapters:
• SFDA procedures:
• Country list
• Establishments list
• PIB inspection frequency.
Food Import condition to KSA.
• The main object of import condition are:
• Country list
• Establishment list
• Certification
Food Import condition to KSA.
• Country list
• To export to Saudi Arabia, country must be listed as approved country.
• 2 main requirements of approving competent authority:
• The country must have animal registration system
• Residue monitoring program
Food Import condition to KSA.
• Country list
• How countries listed at Saudi country list?
• In addition to the other requirements:
• Must have clear traceability system.
• Must have clear national residual program.
Country list
Food Import condition to KSA.
• Establishments list:
• How establishments listed at Saudi approved to export list?
• Must come from approved countries. Or,
• Approved SFDA establishment list
Food Import condition to KSA.
• Establishments list:
• How establishments listed at Saudi approved to export list?
The concerned Person(s) in the CA fill
the questionnaire Filling out the questionnaire
Questionnaire submitted by CA to
SFDA through the MOFA.
Questionnaire submission
Questionnaire
Organization of Legal Bodies,
general
empowerments Organization General
Organization in Detail
Qualification of Staff
Training
Food Safety Rules
Food Hygiene Rules Animal Health
Veterinary medical and biotechnical
products Animal ID and
Movement control Animal By-
Products (ABPs) Plant health
Plant Protection products and Agrochemicals
Primary Production
Feeding stuff
Evaluation of the questionnaire by SFDA
Evaluation of the questionnaire
SFDA coordination with CA for Technical team
visit . And other regulation Coordination
Audit procedure
• Legislation
• CA structure and organisation
• Qualification/
training of inspectors
• system
• Instructions and manuels for staff
• Documentation of control
• Follow‐up procedures
• Traceability systems (animals and food)
• Certification system and procedures
• Farms
• Feed lot
• Cutting plants
• Slaughterhouses
• Processing
• Cold stores
• Laboratories
Visit of CA Visit of Food
Business Operator
Procedures after the visit
SFDA technical team report drafting
CA not CA approval by SFDA
Agree with CA for certification
Food Import condition to KSA.
• Certifications:
• How establishments listed at Saudi approved to export list?
Procedure for approving foreign competent control
authorities
Procedure for imposing/lifting a
temporary ban
• outbreaks of epidemic diseases threatening human and/or animal health, or reported to have chemical or physical contamination which compromises the safety of meat and poultry meat and their products.
• As per SPS agreement, SFDA shall impose a temporary ban on the import of meat and poultry meat and their products in case of a presence of risk threatening human and/or animal health in KSA.
Imposing of a Temporary Ban related to the Import of meat and Poultry meat and Their Products into KSA
lifting of a Temporary Ban related to the Import of meat and Poultry meat and Their Products into KSA
• The ban is lifted under the condition that the necessary control measures have been taken or that the country in question has become free from the underlying disease or contamination.
• Requirements for lifting:
• A report from a recognized international organization such as OIE, or
• A health status report from the competent control authority, include:
• list of all labs and accredited laboratorial methods. (epidemiological pathogens)
• precautionary and control measures
• The epidemiological report and risk assessment (if available) incorporating risk control recommendations.
Approving Foreign Competent Control Authorities and Establishments Interested in Exporting meat and Poultry Meat and Their Products to KSA
• verify the procedures carried out by the competent control authority in the exporting countries.
• Requirements:
• The country is not subject to a temporary ban.
• Completion of all requirements (questionnaire ).
Important URL for Approving Foreign Competent Authorities procedures & copy of questionnaire :
https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en/food/about/administration/mangement_f ood/Pages/EDOIFC‐IncpectionOfForeignFacilities.aspx
Food Import Procedures
Procedures
Documentary Check
Identity Check
Physical Check and Lab. check
Complying the consignment with related technical regulations and
standards
release Consignment
rejection Consignment
Food Clearance Procedures
Food Control in KSA
Food Legislation
Tasks
Issuing and publishing food, agriculture products and food contact materials technical regulations and standards.
Preparation and adoption of technical regulations, national specifications and circulars for food and agricultural products.
Working as an accredited focal point for the Kingdom in Codex.
Notification of draft technical regulations for food to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and TBT) agreements.
Registration and licensing of private food laboratories.
Application
(For Examples), Common technical
regulations/standards are subjected to be applied when reviewing food item requests which include:
GSO (9)
LABELLING OF PREPACKAGED FOOD STUFFS
GSO 150
EXPIRATION PERIODS OF FOOD PRODUCTS
GSO 2500
Additives Permitted For Use in Food Stuffs
4/18/2018 41
4/18/2018 42
Examples:
Ways to contact SFDA
FDA Saudi_
@ Saudi_FDA
FDA Saudi_
sa gov.
sfda.
www.
SA GOV.
SFDA.
FOOD@
FEIS.
