Effective March 1, 2021, Saudi Arabia will require that foreign halal certification bodies are approved and accredited to certify halal meat, poultry and their products by Saudi’s new “Halal Centre”, which is affiliated with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Previously recognized certification bodies need to become accredited under the new system by March 1, 2021, in order to continue certifying halal exports destined for Saudi Arabia. At present, there is no organization based in Canada and the United States that is accredited under the new regime.
For a list of approved bodies, please refer to the following link: https://www.sfda.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2020-07/sfda-halal_0.pdf (in English). Canadian industry interested in becoming recognized under this new regime can contact the SFDA Halal Centre by writing halal@sfda.gov.sa, and expressing their interest in becoming accredited. The Halal Center will guide you through the necessary steps.
