The Ministry of Municipality and Housing has reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to enhance food safety and improve health inspection efficiency across food establishments throughout the Kingdom. These efforts align with the ministry’s mission to uphold the highest standards of public health and quality of life, and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in building healthy and sustainable cities. The announcement coincides with World Food Day, observed annually on October 16.
As part of its digital transformation and drive to improve regulatory efficiency, the ministry has developed a comprehensive health certification system for workers in food-related activities such as restaurants, cafés, and central kitchens, as well as in public health sectors including barbershops, women’s salons, laundries, and wellness centers.
In 2024 alone, the ministry issued over 1.2 million health certificates. It also updated the health certificate requirements guide to streamline procedures and unify licensing standards. In coordination with the Ministry of Health, the ministry standardized medical examinations for residency and health certification for expatriate workers. Additionally, a joint initiative was launched with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to support health certification for Saudi workers.
Municipalities and local authorities conduct daily inspection rounds of food establishments, with more than 2,000 health inspectors operating in morning and evening shifts to ensure food safety and service quality. In the past year, over 2.5 million inspections were carried out across approximately 1.5 million establishments employing more than 2 million workers. These inspections resulted in 555,000 violations, the closure of 34,700 establishments, and the issuance of 635,000 regulatory fines. The ministry continues to enhance field monitoring mechanisms by increasing the number of inspectors and intensifying inspection campaigns to raise food safety standards and ensure regulatory compliance.
The ministry has also approved updated requirements for food sectors including restaurants, cafés, and central kitchens, aimed at improving hygiene standards and public health compliance while boosting customer satisfaction. A revised penalty schedule for food violations was introduced following a thorough legal review to ensure fairness and adherence. Furthermore, more effective regulatory and legislative mechanisms have been developed to reduce violations and foster a safer food environment.
The Ministry of Municipality and Housing emphasized that its participation in World Food Day stems from its responsibility to protect consumers and ensure the safety of food served across the Kingdom. This is achieved through an integrated regulatory and oversight system supported by modern technologies and qualified personnel, contributing to national food security, public health, and improved quality of life—reflecting the synergy among government sectors to build safer, healthier, and more sustainable cities.
As part of its digital transformation and drive to improve regulatory efficiency, the ministry has developed a comprehensive health certification system for workers in food-related activities such as restaurants, cafés, and central kitchens, as well as in public health sectors including barbershops, women’s salons, laundries, and wellness centers.
In 2024 alone, the ministry issued over 1.2 million health certificates. It also updated the health certificate requirements guide to streamline procedures and unify licensing standards. In coordination with the Ministry of Health, the ministry standardized medical examinations for residency and health certification for expatriate workers. Additionally, a joint initiative was launched with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to support health certification for Saudi workers.
Municipalities and local authorities conduct daily inspection rounds of food establishments, with more than 2,000 health inspectors operating in morning and evening shifts to ensure food safety and service quality. In the past year, over 2.5 million inspections were carried out across approximately 1.5 million establishments employing more than 2 million workers. These inspections resulted in 555,000 violations, the closure of 34,700 establishments, and the issuance of 635,000 regulatory fines. The ministry continues to enhance field monitoring mechanisms by increasing the number of inspectors and intensifying inspection campaigns to raise food safety standards and ensure regulatory compliance.
The ministry has also approved updated requirements for food sectors including restaurants, cafés, and central kitchens, aimed at improving hygiene standards and public health compliance while boosting customer satisfaction. A revised penalty schedule for food violations was introduced following a thorough legal review to ensure fairness and adherence. Furthermore, more effective regulatory and legislative mechanisms have been developed to reduce violations and foster a safer food environment.
The Ministry of Municipality and Housing emphasized that its participation in World Food Day stems from its responsibility to protect consumers and ensure the safety of food served across the Kingdom. This is achieved through an integrated regulatory and oversight system supported by modern technologies and qualified personnel, contributing to national food security, public health, and improved quality of life—reflecting the synergy among government sectors to build safer, healthier, and more sustainable cities.
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