Kuwaiti authorities recently took action against an illegal home-based food operation that was selling food products without the necessary health license. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition initiated the bust on January 21, 2026, following a tip received through social media.
Kuwaiti Law on Home-Based Food Operations
Operating a home-based food business in Kuwait without the proper licensing from the Municipality or the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is illegal. Authorities can take legal action against such operations, including referring cases to the Public Prosecution for further proceedings.
Strict Penalties for Food Safety Violations
Kuwait imposes severe penalties for violations related to food trading. These penalties can range from substantial fines to imprisonment, depending on the nature of the offense. A recent law from 2025 (Decree-Law No. 1) also targets unauthorized economic activities, which could lead to penalties similar to fraud, including business closure and deportation for expatriates involved in such businesses.
| Type of Violation | Penalty/Punishment |
|---|---|
| Dealing in unexamined goods | Fines from KD 3,000 to KD 10,000 (approx. USD 9,000 to USD 33,000) |
| Trading in food unfit for human consumption | Imprisonment for at least three years and fines up to KD 50,000 (USD 165,000) |
| Unauthorized economic activities (for expatriates, per 2025 law) | Penalties similar to fraud, including business closure and deportation |
Ongoing Efforts to Regulate Home Businesses
Kuwait has been working towards regulating home-based businesses for several years. A draft paper proposing licenses for such ventures, including food products, was submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as early as 2015. More recently, as of July 2024, new regulations mandate that all food-related businesses must contract with Ministry of Health-licensed pest control companies to obtain or renew their business licenses, highlighting the country’s continuous efforts to enhance food safety standards.
