Ministerial Resolution 20 of 2017 regarding food control regulations. Country/Territory Kuwait Document type Regulation Date 2017 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Food & nutrition Keyword Authorization/permit Beverages Business/industry/corporations Capacity building Enforcement/compliance Food additives Food quality control/food safety Fraud Processing/handling Hazards Hygiene/sanitary procedures Breastfeeding/infant food Inspection Internal trade International trade Public health Monitoring Nutrition Packaging/labelling Procedural matters Risk assessment/management Slaughtering Special dietary uses Standards Traceability/product tracing Vending Certification Geographical area Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf, Western Asia Entry into force notes This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall be effective from 12/1/2017. Abstract This Resolution contains a 34-article Food Control Regulations. Article 2 establishes that handling of food is prohibited under the following circumstances (i) when it doesn't meet standard specifications outlined in relevant regulations and laws; (ii) if it goes against Islamic law; (iii) when it poses harm to human health or is unfit for consumption; (iv) if fraud is detected as per regulations; (v) when it doesn't match its declared commercial description; (vi) if it contains alcohol, mineral oils, pork, or their derivatives; (vii) if its packaging includes images, phrases, drawings, or similar content that violates Islamic law, offends national values, breaches public morals, disrupts public modesty, or disturbs public order; (viii) when it is banned from entry into the country by orders of competent authorities. The Regulations specify (i) when the food item is not fit for human consumption; (ii) when food is harmful to health; (iii) when food is considered spoiled or damaged; (iv) when the food item is considered adulterated. Article 7 gives the following specifications for food additives (i) it should not be harmful to health; (ii) it must conform to the approved standard specifications; (iii) it must meet the technical and health requirements determined by the Authority in coordination with the competent government agencies; (iv) food additives that are imported for the purpose of manufacturing or selling to the consumer are subject to the provisions of this regulation or other relevant regulations. Under Article 8 (i) food products should possess a data card aligning with approved label specifications; (ii) small packages must display identical data to that on large packages or external labels when packaging or repackaging, ensuring food protection, safety, and compliance with labeling regulations during refilling operations. Article 12 focuses on inspections and establishes that Authority employees with judicial authority can inspect food transport means, enter food-related premises, review records, seize suspicious food items, and take samples for inspection to verify compliance with regulations and standards. The following Articles explain the details of the inspections and how they are carried out. Moreover, Article 22 necessitates prior approval from the Food and Nutrition Public Authority for trading in specialized food categories, including food additives, nutritional products, infant and child-related foods, nutritional supplements, and energy drinks. Article 23 stipulates requirements for food establishments and transport means, emphasizing adherence to health and technical standards, and the necessity for food handling employees to possess health certificates. Employers are instructed to take swift action regarding employees without valid health certificates or displaying symptoms of illness, with the Authority having the authority to remove workers when their work poses a public health risk, as specified in Article 24. Full text Arabic Website www.pafn.gov.kw