Common SFDA Registration Rejection Reasons | KSA Guide
Learn top reasons why SFDA rejects product registrations in Saudi Arabia. Avoid costly mistakes with expert tips from Saudi Food Registration.
4/26/20252 min read
Common Reasons for SFDA Registration Rejections (and How to Avoid Them)
Navigating the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) registration process can feel complex, even for experienced businesses.
Small errors can trigger long delays or full rejections. In this guide, we'll break down the most common causes of SFDA registration rejections—and how to avoid them for faster, smoother approvals.
📌 Why SFDA Registrations Get Rejected
SFDA enforces strict rules to protect consumer safety, product integrity, and regulatory transparency.
Even minor mistakes—in documents, labels, or product classification—can cause your application to be rejected.
Understanding the most frequent issues can save you months of wasted time and unnecessary costs.
🔎 Top Reasons for SFDA Application Rejections
1. Incomplete Technical Documentation
Missing or outdated documents are one of the leading causes of rejections.
Missing Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) or Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
Incomplete or inaccurate technical data sheets
Lack of proper Arabic translations
What documents are mandatory for SFDA registration?
✅ Answer: CFS, CoA, label artwork, ingredient specifications, manufacturing process details, and Arabic translations.
2. Incorrect or Misleading Labeling
Labels must meet detailed SFDA requirements. Common mistakes include:
Missing Arabic translation
Missing production and expiry dates (Gregorian & Hijri)
Health claims that are not scientifically approved
Missing allergen declarations
Why would SFDA reject a product label?
3. Misclassified Product Category
Incorrectly identifying your product leads to automatic rejection.
Submitting dietary supplements as general food products
Applying under the wrong product classification without SFDA's approval
How does SFDA classify my product?
4. Usage of Banned Ingredients
Not all ingredients allowed internationally are permitted in Saudi Arabia.
Colorants, preservatives, or herbs banned by SFDA
Non-Halal animal-derived ingredients (e.g., gelatin)
How do I know if an ingredient is banned in Saudi Arabia?
✅ Solution: Review the SFDA's positive and negative ingredient lists or consult compliance experts.
5. Laboratory Testing Failures
If a product fails SFDA laboratory tests, it will be rejected.
Microbial contamination
Incorrect nutritional values
Undeclared ingredients
Is SFDA lab testing mandatory?
✅ Yes, particularly for supplements, special use foods, and imported items.
6. Not Using SFDA-Approved Laboratories
Testing must be performed only in SFDA-authorized labs. Otherwise, test results are invalid.
7. Poor Translation Quality
Translations must be accurate and match the original meaning exactly. Errors or inconsistencies cause quick rejections.
8. Lack of Halal Certification (When Required)
Products containing animal ingredients must provide Halal certifications from SFDA-recognized bodies.
Gelatin
Dairy products
Animal-based capsules or additives
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping product classification request before submission
Using outdated labels or packaging artwork
Ignoring the need for Arabic labeling dominance
Assuming international approvals automatically satisfy SFDA
🛠️ How Saudi Food Registration Helps
Saudi Food Registration simplifies the SFDA registration process:
Pre-screen product classification and eligibility
Prepare and translate full documentation packages
Coordinate laboratory testing at SFDA-accredited labs
Conduct pre-submission label and dossier reviews
Rapidly respond to SFDA observations and resubmissions
Our expertise ensures minimal errors and faster approvals.
📈 Final Tip
Don't risk SFDA rejection because of small mistakes.
Early-stage auditing and expert compliance support greatly increase your chances of first-time approval.
Need help navigating SFDA registration requirements?
Contact Saudi Food Registration or use the chatbot at the bottom-right corner for expert assistance.
Continue Reading:
SFDA Import Registration Guide – Understand how correct documentation supports smooth importation and registration.
Master SFDA Labeling Standards – Ensure your food product packaging meets Saudi compliance rules to avoid rejections.
Product Testing & Certification – Learn how SFDA laboratory results impact product approvals.
Understand how to get your product correctly classified by SFDA before registration begins.