The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirms its continued efforts to enhance food safety and monitor food establishments, coinciding with World Food Day.

Monday 08 June 2026
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The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirmed its continued efforts to enhance food safety and raise the efficiency of health control over food establishments in various regions of the Kingdom, as part of its endeavors to achieve the highest standards of public health and quality of life, and to support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in building healthy and sustainable cities, coinciding with World Food Day, which falls on October 16th of each year.

As part of the digital transformation and improving the efficiency of oversight, the Ministry developed a health certificate system for workers in food-related activities such as restaurants, cafes, central kitchens and the like, as well as in activities related to public health such as barbershops, women’s beauty salons, laundries, and body care and relaxation centers.

During 2024, the Ministry issued more than 1.2 million health certificates, updated the health certificate requirements guide to facilitate procedures and standardize the requirements for obtaining them, and coordinated with the Ministry of Health to standardize the medical examination for residency and health certificate for expatriate workers, in addition to launching a joint initiative with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to support the issuance of health certificates for Saudi workers. .

Municipalities and regional secretariats conduct daily inspection tours of food establishments using more than 2,000 health inspectors working in morning and evening shifts. The aim is to ensure food safety and the quality of services provided to consumers. Last year, the Ministry, through its regional secretariats, carried out more than 2.5 million inspection tours covering approximately 1.5 million establishments employing more than two million workers. These tours resulted in the recording of 555,000 violations, the closure of 34,700 establishments, and the issuance of 635,000 fines. The Ministry continues to develop its field monitoring mechanisms by increasing the number of inspectors and conducting intensive inspection tours to enhance food safety standards and compliance with regulations. .

The ministry also adopted updated requirements for the food sector, including restaurants, cafes, central kitchens, and other related activities, with the aim of raising the level of compliance with hygiene and public health standards and enhancing customer satisfaction. It also prepared an updated schedule of penalties for food violations after a thorough legal review to ensure fairness and compliance, in addition to developing more effective regulatory and legislative mechanisms to reduce violations and promote a safe food environment. .

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing affirmed that its participation in World Food Day stems from its responsibility to protect consumers and ensure the safety of food provided throughout the Kingdom, through an integrated regulatory and legislative system supported by modern technologies and qualified personnel. This aims to support national food security, promote public health, and improve quality of life, reflecting the integration among government sectors to achieve safer, healthier, and more sustainable cities. .

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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia