Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is the Kingdom’s governmental organization for food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics. Its core mission is protecting public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality products reach consumers.
What Is the SFDA?
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is a government authority established to regulate and oversee food, medicines, medical devices, and cosmetic products across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Authority holds the responsibility of safety and quality standards before the product reaches the consumer by conducting a set of inspections and following regulatory measures.
Key Objectives
- Ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices to protect public health.
- Issuing licenses and product registrations to enable companies to obtain conformity certificates and SFDA approval.
- Conducting ongoing market surveillance to verify that traded products comply with approved standards.
- Raising consumer awareness about food and drug safety, encouraging informed and responsible choices.
- Collaborating with international health and safety organizations to align with global best practices.
- Verifying the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products available in the Saudi market.
- Combating commercial fraud and counterfeiting in food products.
- Supporting the national industry by providing a regulatory environment.
How to Register a Product with the SFDA?
- Create an importer account on the SFDA’s official online portal.
- Hold a valid commercial registration that includes the relevant food activity.
- Register food products, medicines, or cosmetics through the SFDA’s electronic system.
- Ensure the manufacturing facility (supplier or exporter) is listed among SFDA-approved establishments.
- Confirm that products comply with all applicable SFDA regulations and technical requirements.
- Submit a copy of the manufacturer’s commercial registration.
- Provide a copy of the manufacturer’s industrial license.
- Submit a detailed list of ingredients and concentrations, along with product images from all sides.
- Provide the applicable HS code.
Areas of Scope
- Registration of food and medicines and review of applications.
- Conduct periodic inspections of factories and warehouses.
- Withdrawal of non-compliant products from the markets.
- Organize awareness campaigns for consumers.
- Conduct research studies in the field of food and medicine.