The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has imposed a sweeping ban on poultry and egg imports from forty countries as part of a comprehensive effort to protect public health and strengthen food safety standards across the Kingdom. The measure, which also includes partial restrictions on imports from sixteen additional countries, reflects Saudi Arabia’s proactive stance in responding to the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
A Decisive Move on Food Safety
The total ban covers a wide range of nations spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Among the forty countries affected are India, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and South Africa. The restrictions apply to all poultry products and table eggs originating from these countries, with the SFDA citing ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza as the primary concern.
In addition to the full ban, partial restrictions have been imposed on specific provinces and cities within sixteen other countries, including the United States, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, and Poland. These targeted measures allow imports from regions within those countries that have not reported active outbreaks, while blocking shipments from affected areas.
A Long-Standing Commitment to Monitoring
According to the SFDA, some of these restrictions have been in place since 2004, with additional countries added progressively over the years based on evolving risk assessments and international epidemiological reports. The authority emphasized that the list remains subject to periodic review as global health conditions change, ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s import policies reflect the most current scientific data available.
The approach underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining one of the most rigorous food safety frameworks in the region. As a major importer of poultry products, Saudi Arabia’s decisions carry significant weight in global agricultural trade and send a clear signal about the seriousness with which the Kingdom treats biosecurity threats.
Exemptions for Processed Products
The SFDA clarified that poultry products which have undergone heat treatment or other processing methods sufficient to eliminate the Newcastle disease virus will be exempt from the ban. However, such products must be accompanied by official health certificates from competent authorities in the country of origin confirming that the treatment applied meets the required standards. The exemption also requires that the product originates from an approved and certified facility.
This distinction allows for the continued flow of processed poultry products that meet Saudi safety thresholds while maintaining a firm barrier against potentially contaminated fresh imports. The decision reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a nation that prioritizes the health and safety of its residents above commercial considerations, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan when food consumption patterns shift significantly across the Kingdom.
