SFDA Warns Unauthorized Hajj Food Activities, SAR 10M Penalties
Summary
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued a reinforced warning prohibiting the manufacture or storage of food products without required licenses during the Hajj season, with violators subject to fines of up to SAR 10 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, prohibition from food-related activities for up to 180 days, and license cancellation or suspension for up to one year. The Authority states it will maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward violations of Food Law provisions. All food factories and warehouses must adhere to regulatory requirements, and closed facilities may not be reopened without formal SFDA approval. Community members are encouraged to report violations via the unified number 19999.
“fines of up to ten (10) million riyals, imprisonment for up to ten (10) years, prohibiting the violator from engaging in any food-related activities for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days, and/or the cancellation or suspension of the license for a period not exceeding one year”
Food factories and warehouses preparing for Hajj operations should immediately verify their licensing status with SFDA and confirm all facilities, storage areas, and distribution channels are within licensed boundaries. The comprehensive penalty framework—financial, custodial, and operational—applies to any establishment found in violation during Hajj, regardless of prior compliance history. Firms that have previously operated closed or suspended facilities should obtain explicit SFDA approval before resuming operations.
About this source
GovPing monitors Saudi SFDA News for new healthcare & life sciences regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 10 changes logged to date.
What changed
The SFDA has reinforced enforcement of Food Law provisions specifically targeting unauthorized food manufacturing and storage during the Hajj season, introducing a comprehensive penalty framework that includes financial fines of up to SAR 10 million, custodial sentences of up to 10 years, activity prohibitions for 180 days, and facility license sanctions. The Authority reiterated zero-tolerance enforcement for storing products outside licensed facility boundaries and trading non-compliant products. Food factories and warehouses operating during Hajj must ensure all regulatory requirements are met and formal SFDA approval is obtained before reopening any closed facilities. Establishments should review their licensing status and compliance procedures immediately, as the penalty structure applies prospectively to any violations discovered during Hajj operations.
Penalties
Fines up to SAR 10 million; imprisonment up to 10 years; prohibition from engaging in food-related activities for up to 180 days; cancellation or suspension of license for up to one year.
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has reinforced the strict prohibition of manufacturing or storing food products without obtaining the necessary licenses to conduct food-related activities during the Hajj season, warning that violators may face penalties of up to SAR 10 million.
The Authority emphasized that all food factories and warehouses must adhere to the provisions of the Food Law and its Implementing Regulation, highlighting that the safety of food and medicine for pilgrims remains its top priority and stating it will maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward any violations of its regulations.
The SFDA stressed the importance of refraining from storing products outside the boundaries of the licensed facility and ensuring that closed facilities are not reopened until all regulatory requirements are met and formal approval is granted by the SFDA. It also emphasized the prohibition of trading products that violate approved regulations and requirements.
These measures are part of the SFDA’s ongoing efforts to enhance food safety and protect consumer health during the Hajj season. The Authority collaborates closely with various government entities to serve the guests of Allah, in compliance with the directives of the Kingdom’s wise leadership. This commitment ensures that visitors to the Two Holy Mosques receive the highest quality of service, supported by the full dedication of human and technological resources.
The Authority clarified that violators may be subject to the penalties stipulated by law, including fines of up to ten (10) million riyals, imprisonment for up to ten (10) years, prohibiting the violator from engaging in any food-related activities for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days, and/or the cancellation or suspension of the license for a period not exceeding one year.
The SFDA reaffirmed that violators may be subject to these legal penalties, which include significant financial fines, custodial sentences, the suspension of food-related activities, and the potential revocation or suspension of facility licenses.
The Authority noted that adherence to the Food Law significantly raises the level of compliance and ensures the safety of food products in circulation. The SFDA calls on all establishments to strictly follow these instructions. Members of the community are encouraged to report any observed violations by calling the unified number (19999).
Food
-
2026-04-14
The National Nutrition Committee Holds Fourth Meeting of its Third Session
2026-04-09
2026-04-08
SFDA and Saudi Innovation Club Sign MoU to Advance Digital Transformation and Innovation
News List
Get daily alerts for Saudi SFDA News
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from SFDA.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Saudi SFDA News publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.