Article 25 of the Saudi Food Law
المادة 25 من نظام الغذاء · الفصل السابع: الرقابة على الغذاء
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 كان الغذاء غير مأمون.
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 25 explained in plain English
This article deals with what the inspector does if, during their work, they discover non-compliant food that violates the provisions of the Law or its regulations.
The article distinguishes between two cases:
- Non-compliant food in general: the inspector may seize it and take the necessary measures, according to the procedures set by the Regulations. Here the inspector has discretion.
- Unsafe food: seizure is mandatory, and the inspector has no choice but to seize it.
To understand what "unsafe" means, refer to the definition of food safety in Article 1: the safety of food and its freedom from any source of danger or harm throughout the stages of the food chain until it reaches the consumer. Food that lacks this safety must be seized.
The text does not specify what the "necessary measures" are, nor the seizure procedures or how long seizure lasts; the article leaves all of this to the Regulations.
This provision follows from the neighboring articles: Article 24 gives the inspector the power to enter, review and take samples, then this article deals with what follows the discovery of a violation, and Article 26 requires the inspector to draw up a violation report when there is a violation and deliver a copy to the violator.
If food is seized at an establishment that believes it complies, it can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases to look at the available means of objection.
Practical example
An inspector found in a warehouse in Mecca quantities of frozen chicken stored at an unsuitable temperature and showing signs of spoilage. Because the food is unsafe, seizing it here is a duty for the inspector, not just an option.
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 25 of the Saudi Food Law
When must the inspector seize food?
Seizure is mandatory if the food is unsafe; for other violations, the inspector may seize it.
What are the procedures for seizing non-compliant food?
The article leaves the procedures and necessary measures to the Implementing Regulations.
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 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 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.