Article 21 of the Saudi Food Law
المادة 21 من نظام الغذاء · الفصل السابع: الرقابة على الغذاء
Article 21 tasks the Authority with setting up and running a rapid alert system to report food-related dangers to human health and with raising consumer awareness, per procedures in the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنشئ الهيئة وتدير نظام إنذار سريع للتبليغ عن أي خطر مباشر أو غير مباشر على صحة الإنسان يكون مصدره الغذاء، وتوعية المستهلك بالوسائل التي تراها مناسبة، وذلك وفقاً للإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article places two linked duties on the Saudi Food and Drug Authority:
- Establish and run a rapid alert system, whose purpose is to report any direct or indirect danger to human health originating from food.
- Raise consumer awareness by the means the Authority considers appropriate.
All of this is done according to the procedures set by the Implementing Regulations; the Law does not say how the alert system works, who may use it or what awareness channels are used.
What distinguishes this provision?
- It covers a danger that is direct or indirect, so it is not limited to obvious cases such as poisoning.
- The Authority has discretion in choosing the appropriate means of awareness.
- The danger meant is one originating from food, in the broad sense given in Article 1.
This system complements the establishments' duty in Article 20, which requires a food establishment that knows or suspects that food is non-compliant to notify the Authority and take measures to withdraw it. The information reaches the Authority, and through the alert system and the awareness channels the Authority can get the warning to those who need it.
For consumers, this means that following the warnings the Authority announces is an important way to protect themselves and their families.
Practical example
The Authority received information about contamination in one type of imported infant formula. Through the rapid alert system it can report this danger, and then raise families' awareness by the means it considers appropriate, according to the procedures set by the Regulations.
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 21 of the Saudi Food Law
What is the rapid alert system in the Food Law?
It is a system the Authority establishes and runs to report any direct or indirect danger to human health originating from food.
How does the rapid alert system work?
The article leaves its procedures to the Implementing Regulations of the Law.
More articles on Food Monitoring and Inspection
- Article 19
Article 19 allows the Authority to evaluate food before, during and after marketing when needed, and to take the measures set by the Regulations in light of the result.
للهيئة أن تقوِّم الغذاء قبل تسويقه وفي أثنائه وبعد التسويق إذا تطلب الأمر ذلك، ولها - في ضوء نتيجة التقويم - اتخاذ الإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة.
- Article 22
Article 22 makes the Authority the body legally empowered to inspect food establishments and facilities to apply the Food Law and its regulations, with security agencies' help when needed.
الهيئة هي الجهة المخولة نظاماً بتفتيش المنشآت والمرافق الغذائية فيما يخص تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه، ولها الاستعانة بالجهات الأمنية عند الحاجة.
- Article 23
Article 23 assigns oversight, inspection and the recording of violations to inspectors named by decision of the President, and gives them the powers of criminal investigation officers.
يتولى مفتشون - يصدر بتسميتهم قرار من الرئيس - أعمال الرقابة والتفتيش وضبط المخالفات، وتكون لهم صلاحيات وسلطات مأموري الضبط الجنائي.
- Article 24
Article 24 lets an inspector who shows a work ID enter food establishments, review records and take food samples, and requires the establishment to allow this and not obstruct.
للمفتش عند إبرازه بطاقة هويته الوظيفية دخول المنشآت والمرافق الغذائية لغرض التفتيش، وله الاطلاع على المستندات والسجلات والاحتفاظ بنسخة منها إذا لزم الأمر، كما ي
- Article 25
Article 25 lets an inspector seize food that violates the Law or its regulations and take necessary measures per the Regulations, and makes seizure mandatory if the food is unsafe.
إذا ظهر للمفتش وجود غذاء مخالف لأحكام هذا النظام أو لوائحه؛ فله حجزه واتخاذ التدابير اللازمة وفقاً للإجراءات التي تحددها اللائحة، على أن يكون الحجز وجوبيًّا إذا
- Article 26
Article 26 requires the inspector to keep information confidential except at the request of the Authority or the competent court, follow the Law's procedures, and draw up a violation report with a copy to the violator.
يلتزم المفتش بالآتي : 1 - عدم الكشف عن أي معلومة حصل عليها بسبب عمله، ما لم تطلب منه ذلك الهيئة أو المحكمة المختصة. 2 - التقيد بالأحكام والإجراءات المنصوص عليها
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.