Saudi Arabia’s health watchdog expands food safety barricades with sweeping poultry and egg import restrictions in response to global disease threats
Riyadh: In a decisive step to shield public health and reinforce food safety, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority(SFDA) has enacted a comprehensive ban on poultry and table egg imports from 40 countries, alongside partial import restrictions on specific regions in 16 additional nations. These measures are part of ongoing epidemiological safeguards as global outbreaks — including highly pathogenic avian influenza — continue to pose risks to food systems worldwide.
The SFDA’s updated list is subject to periodic review and revision in response to emerging global health developments and risk assessments. Some nations have been on the ban list for years, while others were added gradually based on international disease intelligence and risk evaluation.
🔴 Countries Under Total Ban
The total prohibition applies to poultry meat and egg imports originating from the following 40 countries:
- Afghanistan
- Azerbaijan
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Bangladesh
- Taiwan
- Djibouti
- South Africa
- China
- Iraq
- Ghana
- Palestine
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Kazakhstan
- Cameroon
- South Korea
- North Korea
- Laos
- Libya
- Myanmar
- United Kingdom
- Egypt
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- India
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Burkina Faso
- Sudan
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Ivory Coast
- Montenegro.
🟠 Partial Restrictions in 16 Countries
In addition to the complete ban, partial restrictions apply to poultry and egg imports from certain provinces, states, or cities in the following 16 countries:
- Australia
- United States
- Italy
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Poland
- Togo
- Denmark
- Romania
- Zimbabwe
- France
- Philippines
- Canada
- Malaysia
- Austria
- Democratic Republic of Congo.
These partial measures are tailored to geographic risk profiles rather than blanket national bans.
🧪 Exemptions and Safety Protocols
The SFDA clarified that products — including poultry meat and related items — that have undergone sufficient heat treatment or other approved processing methods to eliminate viruses such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease are exempt from the temporary ban. These exemptions apply only when the products:
- Fully comply with approved health requirements and standards
- Are accompanied by a health certificate issued by competent authorities in the country of origin
- Confirm that the processing reliably eliminates relevant disease agents
- Originate from an approved production facility.
By allowing certified processed products, Saudi authorities aim to maintain food supply continuity while minimizing health risks.
🛡 A Precautionary Strategy Against Disease Spread
According to official and regional media reports, the SFDA’s actions reflect a highly precautionary approach to safeguarding the national food supply. The authority has underscored that the list will be continuously monitored and revised based on the latest epidemiological data and international animal health reports.
These restrictions come amid heightened global vigilance over avian influenza outbreaks and other animal diseases that can cross species barriers and threaten human health. The Kingdom’s strategy prioritizes public safety, food quality, and sustained epidemiological oversight in its domestic market.
