Saudi Arabia: food temperature rules
The food temperatures your kitchen must keep, and the rules behind them.
Checked
“Law” is a binding rule. “Official guidance” is not law, but inspectors expect it. “Chef Hygiene default” is a value the app checks against where no rule gives a number.
- LawChilled food at 0 to 4°C; frozen food below −18°C, with the freezer checked at opening and closing; dry store 15 to 25°C (the Restaurant Requirements 5.5.3 and 5.5.9).
- LawCooking to a core of 75°C, or 70°C for 2 minutes, 65°C for 10 minutes or 60°C for 45 minutes; reheating to a core of 75°C, never cooled again (5.5.6 and 5.5.8).
- LawHot holding at 60°C or hotter, eaten within 6 hours; below 60°C, eaten within 4 hours or thrown away. Chilled food out of the fridge is eaten within 2 hours. Cooling: the core below 10°C within 2 hours, then at once to 4°C (5.5.11, 5.5.12 and 5.5.7).
- LawDeliveries in: chilled at 4°C or colder, frozen at −18°C or colder (warmer frozen food is refused), recorded for high-risk food. Hot food delivered to customers at 63°C or hotter (MoMAH's Home Delivery Requirements 1446H).
- Chef Hygiene defaultThe rules set no fridge-check frequency for restaurants: Chef Hygiene asks at opening and closing, like the freezer. School canteens record fridge temperatures daily in a register.
Official sources
- MoMAH: Restaurant Requirements 1446H (English copy on Balady; the Arabic prevails)
- MoMAH: Restaurant Requirements 1446H (Arabic)
- MoMAH: regulations and requirements by kind of business
- MoMAH: food violations table 1447H
- MoMAH: Health Certificate Requirements Guide 1446H
- MoMAH: food poisoning penalty table (2026)
- MoMAH: Home Delivery Requirements 1446H
- Food Law (Royal Decree M/1, 1436H), English translation (MISA)
- Balady: municipal services and health certificates
This page is general information, not legal advice. Check with your local authority.