SFDA Announces Adoption of New Food and Feed Standards

Riyadh — August 2026

The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) has adopted new technical regulations and amendments related to food and feed, together with a further set of GCC food standards. The adoption was made under SFDA Board Decision No. (50/4) dated 08/06/2026. Food businesses should review the updates and ensure compliance ahead of the applicable enforcement dates.

New Food and Feed Standards

• E-commerce food products — SFDA.FD 5036:2026 — requirements for food products sold through electronic stores. Enforcement: 1 July 2027.
• Children's meals served outside the home — SFDA.FD 5037:2026 — food establishments offering meals for children. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Frozen coffee — SFDA.FD GSO 2787:2025 — GCC standard for frozen coffee. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Infant formula & FSMP products — SFDA.FD GSO 2106:2025 — GCC standard for infant formula, follow-on formula and foods for special medical purposes (FSMP). Enforcement: 1 July 2028.
• Plant-based alternatives — SFDA.FD GSO 2704:2025 — GCC standard for plant-based alternatives to meat and animal-origin products. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Food additives — SFDA.FD GSO 2500:2025 — GCC standard for permitted food additives in foods. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Heavy metals in foods — SFDA.FD GSO 2783:2025 — GCC standard for heavy metals in foods. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.

New GCC Food Standards Adopted by SFDA

• Biscuits — SFDA.FD GSO 989:2025 — GCC standard for biscuits. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Frozen french fries — SFDA.FD GSO 1868:2025 — GCC standard for frozen french fries. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Bakery yeast — SFDA.FD GSO 1308:2025 — GCC standard for active dry bakery yeast. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• UHT milk & flavoured UHT milk — SFDA.FD GSO 1347:2023/Amd2:2025 — amendment to the GCC standard for UHT milk and flavoured UHT milk (long life). Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Foods advertised to children — SFDA.FD GSO 2725:2025 — GCC standard for foods advertised to children. Enforcement: 1 January 2028.
• Olive oil & olive pomace oil — SFDA.FD GSO 2558:2021/Cor 1:2025 — amendment to the GCC standard for olive oil and olive pomace oil. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.
• Mayonnaise — SFDA.FD GSO 1316:2021/Cor 2:2026 — amendment to the GCC standard for mayonnaise. Enforcement: 1 February 2027.

Key Enforcement Dates

The adopted standards take effect on three key dates: 1 February 2027, 1 July 2027 and 1 July 2028, with foods advertised to children applying from 1 January 2028. Refer to the individual standards for specific details.

What Food Businesses Should Do

Food businesses in Saudi Arabia are encouraged to review the adopted standards and ensure compliance with the requirements before the applicable enforcement dates. Practical readiness steps include:

• Portfolio mapping: Identify SKUs and channels affected, including products sold through electronic stores.
• Specification review: Compare current product specifications against the adopted GCC standards, including additives and heavy metal limits.
• Label and claims check: Update artwork, Arabic labelling and claims where the revised standards change mandatory particulars.
• Advertising review: Assess marketing directed at children against GSO 2725:2025 ahead of 1 January 2028.
• Transition planning: Sequence reformulation, artwork changes and stock depletion so compliant product is on shelf before each enforcement date.

How REGS Consultancy Supports Compliance

REGS Consultancy advises food, beverage and FMCG brands on regulatory readiness across GCC and MENA markets. For these SFDA adoptions we support clients with standard-by-standard gap assessment, specification and label review, infant nutrition and FSMP documentation, and transition planning ahead of each enforcement date.