Article 24 of the Saudi Food Law
المادة 24 من نظام الغذاء · الفصل السابع: الرقابة على الغذاء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمفتش عند إبرازه بطاقة هويته الوظيفية دخول المنشآت والمرافق الغذائية لغرض التفتيش، وله الاطلاع على المستندات والسجلات والاحتفاظ بنسخة منها إذا لزم الأمر، كما يمكنه سحب عينات من الأغذية لتحليلها. وعلى المنشأة أو المرفق الغذائي تمكينه من ذلك، وعدم إعاقته.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article details what an inspector may do during an inspection, and what the establishment must do in response.
Starting condition: the inspector must show their work identity card. After that they have the following powers:
- Enter food establishments and facilities for the purpose of inspection.
- Review documents and records.
- Keep a copy of them if necessary.
- Take samples of food for analysis.
In return, the food establishment or facility has two obligations: to enable the inspector to do this, and not to obstruct them.
Note that entry is tied to the purpose of inspection, and keeping copies of documents is limited to where it is necessary. The owner of the establishment is entitled to check the inspector's identity, because showing the card is a condition in the text.
This article connects with other articles: Article 23 gives inspectors the powers of criminal investigation officers, and Article 25 allows the inspector to seize non-compliant food and makes seizure mandatory if the food is unsafe. The powers here are limited to what the text mentions: entry, review, keeping a copy where necessary, and taking samples.
Obstructing an inspector breaches an express obligation in the Law, so it is best to cooperate with the inspection and then, if the establishment believes there was an overreach, consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
An inspector came to a bakery in Taif, showed his work card, and asked to review the flour purchase invoices and take a sample of the bread. The bakery must allow this and not obstruct him, and the inspector may keep a copy of the invoices if necessary.
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 24 of the Saudi Food Law
Can a food inspector enter an establishment without an appointment?
The text lets an inspector who shows their work identity card enter food establishments and facilities for inspection, and it does not require a prior appointment.
Can an establishment refuse to hand records to the inspector?
The article requires the establishment to allow the inspector to review documents and records and not to obstruct them.
Does the inspector take samples of products?
Yes. The inspector may take samples of food for analysis.
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 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 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.