Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)
Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is a halal certification body in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that holds recognition from JAKIM, Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development and the most influential authority in the global halal industry.
Source: JAKIM's official recognition list, gazetted under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
| Country | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Address | 84983 Riyadh 11681 Saudi Arabia |
| Contact person | Dr. Yousif Salem AlHarbi (Director Saudi Halal Center) |
| Telephone | +966541220000 |
| halal@sfda.gov.sa, ysharbi@sfda.gov.sa | |
| Recognition | JAKIM (gazetted, as at 30 January 2026) |
| Established | 2003 |
| Certifies | food and beverages, slaughtering, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices |
| Standards | GSO 2055-2:2015, GSO 993 |
| Also recognised by | MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) |
| Website | halal.gov.sa |
Dual recognition: SFDA is also listed on MUIS Singapore's Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies list.
About SFDA
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is the national regulator for food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established by Council of Ministers resolution in 2003 as an independent body reporting to the President of the Council of Ministers, it is a state institution rather than a private certifier, making it a governmental peer of JAKIM.
Halal matters sit with the Saudi Halal Center, launched under SFDA on 1 October 2019 after the Council of Ministers approved a national ecosystem for halal products. The center ensures that livestock slaughter and the storage of meat and poultry in the Kingdom follow Islamic law, and verifies that food, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices contain nothing that contravenes Sharia. Its certification services are built on Gulf technical standards, including GSO 2055-2:2015 for the requirements placed on halal certification bodies and GSO 993 for animal slaughtering. Beyond certifying facilities and shipments, the center accredits halal certification bodies in other countries, which lets certified products enter the Saudi market without repeating domestic checks.
Cooperation with Malaysia operates at government level. In May 2023, SFDA and JAKIM signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on mutual recognition of halal certificates for locally manufactured products, covering conformity assessment procedures, standards, and exchange of expertise in training, research, and laboratory analysis. SFDA has announced a similar mutual recognition arrangement with Morocco, part of its push to align halal requirements across markets.
Frequently asked questions
Is SFDA recognised by JAKIM?
Yes. Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) appears on JAKIM's official recognition list of international halal certification bodies, gazetted under Malaysia's Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
What does JAKIM recognition mean for SFDA?
JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) is widely regarded as the industry's most influential halal authority. Its recognition means halal certificates issued by SFDA are accepted for products entering Malaysia, and it serves as a strong third-party credibility signal in the global halal trade.
Where is SFDA based?
Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is based in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 84983 Riyadh 11681 Saudi Arabia.
Is SFDA recognised outside Malaysia?
Yes. Besides JAKIM, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) appears on MUIS Singapore's Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies list, so its halal certificates are also accepted for the Singapore market. Recognition by two national authorities is a strong dual-market credibility signal for exporters.
How is SFDA different from a private halal certification body?
SFDA is the government authority that regulates food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in Saudi Arabia. Its Saudi Halal Center sets the halal requirements for the Saudi market and accredits halal certification bodies in other countries, rather than competing with them as a commercial certifier.
How do exporters obtain halal approval for the Saudi market?
Products such as meat and poultry must carry halal certification from a certification body accredited by the Saudi Halal Center in the country of origin. The center runs an online process covering application, document review, audit, and a decision committee before certificates or accreditations are issued.
Which standards does the Saudi Halal Center apply?
The center works to Gulf technical regulations issued by the GCC Standardization Organization, including GSO 2055-2:2015, which sets the requirements halal certification bodies must meet, and GSO 993, which covers the slaughtering of animals according to Islamic rules.
Related halal certification bodies
- Islamic Centre of the Argentine Republic (Centro Islamico de la Republica Argentina) · Argentina
- The Halal Catering Argentina (THCA) · Argentina
- Australian Halal Authority & Advisers (AHAA) Pty. Ltd. · Australia
- Perth Mosque Incorporated (PMI) · Australia
Sectors SFDA certifies
SFDA's recognised scope covers these sectors. Compare every JAKIM-recognised body certifying the same category:
Learn about JAKIM recognition
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