Executive Regulations for the Food Defense Plan from Deliberate Hazards in Saudi Arabia

Starting from March 31, 2023, the Executive Regulations for Food Defense from Deliberate Hazards issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority No. (2-29-1443) will come into effect, the implementation of which will be verified through inspection tours by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority on food establishments in Saudi Arabia. The regulation contains some requirements, including the quality of a food protection plan created and implemented by qualified individuals. This regulation applies to all food establishments in Saudi Arabia that manufacture, process, package, or store food products, with some exceptions specified in the regulation.

But what is intentional contamination and what is food protection and its importance?

Food protection is the protection of food products from intentional contamination that aims to harm public health or damage the reputation of the institution or the national economy, as the food industry continues to grow and flourish in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and with it the development and complexity of sources of intentional threats to food in the world, which may have a strong impact on public health and the economy.

Intentional contamination of food may be carried out by individuals from inside or outside the facility, as internal individuals usually know the procedures followed in the factory and often know how to bypass many of the security controls that would detect the presence of a threat such as (employees who hold a grudge against the institution or one of its employees), and some external individuals are not authorized to enter the manufacturing and trading areas (such as drivers of shipping and receiving trucks – contractors – suppliers)

The importance of food protection procedures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Protecting food from intentional risks is a priority for the Kingdom’s government represented by the

Saudi Food and Drug Authority works with government agencies at all levels, manufacturers, and other organizations to develop and implement strategies to prevent, protect against, and mitigate intentional contamination of food supplies. The Authority’s management promotes food protection measures by encouraging establishments to adopt a food protection plan and implement food protection practices including internal and external security measures, personnel, and training to ensure preparedness for any emergency.

Food Protection Plan and its Relationship to the (HACCP) System

Intentional contamination that threatens food is different from traditional food safety risks. The HACCP system and the Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000) control the potential contamination of food products. This contamination is unintentional and can be reasonably expected based on the type of industry and raw materials used. As for intentional risks with the aim of harm, the risk type cannot be predicted, so a different system is required to control and address them. This is done through the food protection plan provided by Guidance to food manufacturing and producing institutions.

What is a food protection plan?

It is a document that includes the measures taken to prevent or reduce the chances of contamination or intentional sabotage that aim to harm public health or the reputation of the food establishment and its brand by using food to carry out those acts. This is done by analyzing the weaknesses of the threat (Vulnerability Assessment) in the process steps and determining control procedures.

Who is responsible for preparing and following up on the food protection plan?

The Saudi Food Protection Regulations require that each food facility have a supervisor and follow-up person for the activities mentioned in the regulation and hold the following certificates and qualifications:

• Receive the following training (Food Safety Principles – Food Protection Management – Risk Management) from one of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority accredited entities.
• Hold a scientific degree in one of the following specializations (Food Science, Food Manufacturing, Manufacturing Technology, Production Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Sciences…etc.)

We at Guidance Consulting and Training Company provide training services accredited by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and consulting services to establish and develop a food protection plan following the requirements of the regulation, with follow-up of implementation and control procedures step-by-step.

Guidance for Consulting and Training

We have the knowledge and experience to help institutions and individuals comply with the requirements of the Saudi Standards and Quality Organization, the Food and Drug Authority, and other entities that impose legal and mandatory requirements in the Saudi market,

especially ISO 22000 standards and the HACCP system for food safety in industrial and production facilities.