Six foreign halal certification bodies recognised by Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Saudi Arabia’s government on October 1 approved the launch of the Kingdom’s national system for halal products.
Two bodies are at the centre of the country’s national halal system: the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
SASO is responsible for accreditation and SFDA Saudi Halal Center recognises and issues halal certificates.
The fee for an application is currently 3,000 Saudi riyals ($800), as stated on the application form, and the main halal certifications covered are for:
- Halal products, following GSO 2055-1:2015: Part One: General Requirements for Halal Food
- Animal slaughtering Requirements according to Islamic Rules, GSP 993:2015
SFDA also asks for relevant third-party certification, such as HACCP/GMP.
RECOGNISED HCBs
The SFDA Saudi Halal Center maintains a list of foreign halal certification bodies (HCBs) it recognises. Six HCBs are recognised by the SFDA as of October 8, according to its website.
1. New Zealand Islamic Development Trust, accredited January 13, 2019
NZIDT’s recognition by SFDA covers categories C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products), D (Processing 2: Perishable vegetable products), and E (Processing 3: Products with long shelf life at room temperature). Recognition excludes poultry slaughtering and processing.
2. Uruguayan Islamic Center, accredited February 17, 2019
UIC’s recognition by SFDA covers category C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products). Recognition includes bovine, ovine and poultry.
3. FAMBRAS (Brazil), accredited May 27, 2019
FAMBRAS can cover categories C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products), D (Processing 2: Perishable vegetable products), and E (Processing 3: Products with long shelf life at room temperature), and L (Chemical and Biochemical manufacturing e.g. food additives, dietary supplements). Recognition excludes ovine slaughtering and processing.
4. SGS Gulf Ltd (UAE), accredited May 28, 2019
Recognised for categories C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products), D (Processing 2: Perishable vegetable products), and E (Processing 3: Products with long shelf life at room temperature), and F (Feed Production).
5. Mastercert LLP (India), accredited July 14, 2019
Categories covered: C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products), and E (Processing 3: Products with long shelf life at room temperature). Recognition excludes poultry slaughtering and processing.
6. Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meats in Australia, accredited September 16, 2019
Categories covered: C (Processing 1: Perishable animal products), E (Processing 3: Products with long shelf life at room temperature), L (Chemical and Biochemical manufacturing e.g. food additives, dietary supplements). Recognition excludes poultry slaughtering and processing.
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