Home » Saudi Arabia » Saudi Maamoul Gains New International Recognition

Cuisine

Saudi Maamoul Gains New International Recognition

Published

1 month ago

17th July 2026

Huda Az

The Codex's international standard for maamoul marks a major milestone, reflecting KSA's leading role in establishing global food standards.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission’s adoption of an international food standard for maamoul, a type of filled cookie, represents a significant milestone for the Saudi Arabian food industry.

This acknowledgement comes after the Kingdom took the lead in creating the standard, demonstrating its expanding role in creating international food standards and promoting premium domestic goods.

Maamoul: Boosting Saudi Products

At its 49th session in Geneva, the Codex Alimentarius Commission approved the new maamoul standard. The Kingdom, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), oversaw the drafting team of the Near East Coordinating Committee.

Moreover, this accomplishment highlights the Kingdom’s growing influence in establishing standards that govern the global trade of food products and adds to the Kingdom’s record in creating international food standards.

What Does This Standard’s Adoption Entail?

Adopting this standard helps ensure product quality and safety, unify technical requirements for maamoul production, and give businesses and factories a clear reference for manufacturing and exporting. Additionally, it makes it easier for goods to enter regional and global markets and lessens national differences in technical specifications, making Saudi goods more competitive abroad.

One of the region’s most well-liked traditional pastries is maamoul. Usually made with semolina or flour, it contains date paste or nuts inside. It has a special place during holidays and festivities. Given that the Kingdom is one of the major producers of dates, the significance of this standard is especially clear. Further, Maamoul is a crucial date-based product that boosts the economic value of this industry by supporting related processing industries.

Ongoing Saudi Role in Specifications

This is not the Kingdom’s first accomplishment in the Codex Alimentarius Commission; since 2024, it has served as Vice-President of the Commission and co-chaired the international working group that created the first global standard for fresh dates.

This ongoing presence demonstrates the Kingdom’s desire to support the creation of international standards in a way that promotes food safety, safeguards consumers, and eases international food trade.

In addition to encouraging factories to follow uniform production standards, the adoption of the new standard is likely to boost confidence in Saudi goods in international markets and expand opportunities for exporting maamoul to new markets.

In keeping with plans to diversify the economy and boost the food industries’ contribution to economic growth, this accreditation also supports the Kingdom’s efforts to grow the food industries sector and improve the standing of domestic goods internationally.