SFDA Nutrition Labeling for Saudi Arabia: Gulf Food Business Requirements

SFDA vs FDA: Key Differences

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) follows its own Gulf Standard Organization (GSO) framework, which has important differences from US FDA requirements. Food businesses importing to or manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman must comply with GSO standards.

Language Requirements

All labels must include Arabic text. For Saudi Arabia specifically, Arabic must be the primary language. English may appear alongside but cannot be the sole language. This applies to:

• Product name
• Ingredient list (Arabic + second language)
• Nutrition information panel
• Storage instructions
• Country of origin

Mandatory Nutrition Panel Elements (GCC Standard)

• Energy (in kJ AND kcal)
• Protein
• Total Fat (+ Saturated Fat)
• Total Carbohydrate (+ Sugars)
• Sodium
• Dietary Fiber (if above 3g/100g)

Note: The GCC standard expresses values per 100g/100ml rather than per serving, unlike the US per-serving format. However, per serving can be added additionally.

Halal Certification Intersection

SFDA labeling must align with halal certification. Ingredients of animal origin must declare their source. Certain permitted food additives in the US are not permitted under GCC standards — your ingredient list must reflect approved additives only.

RecipeCalc and Gulf Market Labeling

RecipeCalc supports Arabic text in recipe entries and nutrition labels. Our bilingual label generator can produce labels compliant with both FDA and GCC standards — useful for exporters serving multiple markets from the same production facility.