Article 22 of the Saudi Food Law
المادة 22 من نظام الغذاء · الفصل السابع: الرقابة على الغذاء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الهيئة هي الجهة المخولة نظاماً بتفتيش المنشآت والمرافق الغذائية فيما يخص تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه، ولها الاستعانة بالجهات الأمنية عند الحاجة.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article identifies the body responsible for inspection under the Food Law: the Saudi Food and Drug Authority is the body legally empowered to inspect food establishments and facilities with regard to applying the provisions of the Law and its regulations.
To understand the scope of the provision:
- Inspection, under Article 1, is the examination of food and oversight of it in its handling through the stages of the food chain, to verify its compliance with the legal requirements.
- A food establishment is any legal entity that handles food, except family home kitchens.
- A food facility is a permanent, temporary, fixed or mobile site or building, or a means of transport used by the food establishment; so inspection covers, for example, trucks and warehouses.
The text limits the authority with the phrase "with regard to applying the provisions of this Law and its regulations", so it concerns inspection for the purposes of this Law and does not address the powers of other bodies under different laws.
It also allows the Authority to seek the help of security agencies when needed, for example where inspection is obstructed.
The following articles detail how this authority is exercised: Article 23 assigns oversight, inspection and the recording of violations to inspectors named by a decision of the President, who have the powers and authority of criminal investigation officers.
Practical example
The owner of a food warehouse in Riyadh refused to open its doors to the Authority's team. The Law allows the Authority, as the body empowered to inspect, to seek the help of security agencies when needed.
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 22 of the Saudi Food Law
Which body is responsible for inspecting food establishments?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is the body legally empowered to inspect food establishments and facilities with regard to applying the Food Law and its regulations.
May the Authority use security agencies during an inspection?
Yes. The Authority may seek the help of security agencies when needed.
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 21
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.
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
- 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.