Article 14 of the Saudi Food Law
المادة 14 من نظام الغذاء · الفصل الرابع: التراخيص
The article limits food exports to establishments the Food and Drug Authority has licensed for that.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز تصدير الغذاء إلا من منشأة ترخص لها الهيئة بذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article regulates exporting food with a clear rule: food may not be exported except from an establishment the Authority has licensed for that.
What does this mean?
- Exporting is not open to any party, but only to an establishment licensed by the Food and Drug Authority.
- The provision concerns the establishment from which the export takes place, so the license is a precondition for exporting.
- Exporting is one of the stages of the food chain as defined in Article 1, so it is subject to the law's provisions like the other stages.
The article does not state the conditions or procedures of this license, nor whether it is the same technical license in Article 13 or a license specific to exporting; it is satisfied that the establishment be licensed by the Authority "for that," that is, for exporting. The details are found in the Regulations and what the Authority issues.
Article 15 follows to move from establishments to individuals, so no individual may work in handling food except after obtaining a license to practice work in food-related activities.
If an establishment has difficulty obtaining the license, it may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial or administrative cases.
Practical example
A dairy factory in Al-Kharj wants to export its products to a Gulf country. It must first make sure it holds a license from the Authority permitting it to export, because food may not be exported except from an establishment licensed for that.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Food Law
May any merchant export food from Saudi Arabia?
No. Food may not be exported except from an establishment the Authority has licensed for that.
Which body licenses food exports?
The Food and Drug Authority, under this article.
More articles on Importing and Exporting Food
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.