Saudi Arabia Issues Draft Technical Regulations for Food and Agricultural Products (December 25, 2024)

On December 25, 2024, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health released proposals to draft four technical regulations for food and agricultural products.

The Technical Regulation for Tomato Sauce Products includes the definition of products, requirements for raw materials and additives (allows the addition of seasonings and salt except for tomato flavorings), quality standards (solid content not less than 50%, etc.), safety and hygiene standards to be implemented for products, as well as sampling and analytical methods.

The Technical Regulation on Heavy Metal Residue Limits in Food specifies the maximum residue limits for five heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and tin) in food. Partial limits are as follows:

The Technical Regulation for Genetically Modified Foods and Feeds defines its scope as foods and feeds containing more than 1% of genetically modified ingredients. It includes definitions and terminology, general requirements (imported genetically modified foods must be accompanied by an official certificate proving their approval for production and use in the country of origin, must comply with Saudi Arabia's corresponding food safety and hygiene standards, and the importation of genetically modified foods containing animal-derived components is prohibited), packaging, transportation, and storage requirements, as well as analytical and testing methods.

The Technical Regulation for Unprocessed Genetically Modified Agricultural Products applies to unprocessed agricultural products for food and feed containing more than 1% of genetically modified components. It outlines general and specific requirements (unprocessed genetically modified agricultural products must not be mixed with non-GMO products for sale, and the outer packaging of products must prominently label “Genetically Modified”), import requirements (applications for official permits must be made batch by batch prior to import, and cancellation must occur at the time of import), as well as packaging, transportation, and storage requirements, and analytical and testing methods.

The feedback period for these draft regulations is open until January 23, 2025.