Riyadh: On World Food Day, October 16, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing food safety and improving health supervision of food establishments across the Kingdom in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the ministry has implemented a digital health certificate system for workers in food-related sectors and public health activities, issuing over 1.2 million health certificates in 2024. The requirements manual was updated to simplify processes, marking a significant step forward in digital transformation and regulatory efficiency. Additionally, the ministry coordinated with the Ministry of Health to unify medical examinations for residency permits and expatriate health certificates, while also launching a joint initiative with the Human Resources Development Fund to support Saudi workers.
Municipalities are conducting daily inspections of food establishments with the help of over 2,000 health inspectors, resulting in more than 2.5 million inspections last year. These inspections led to 555,000 violations, the closure of 34,700 establishments, and the issuance of 635,000 fines. The ministry is committed to enhancing field monitoring by increasing inspections and regulatory tours to improve food safety compliance.
Furthermore, updated requirements for the food sectors have been implemented to improve public health and hygiene standards. A revised penalties schedule for food violations ensures fairness and compliance, supported by effective supervisory and legislative mechanisms aimed at reducing violations and promoting a safe food environment.