Riyadh: Operating under a comprehensive plan for the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has strengthened the inspection teams' efforts across all regions of the Kingdom. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory compliance among establishments under its supervision and verify that products meet quality and safety standards, thereby protecting consumers and limiting the circulation of non-compliant products.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SFDA indicated that its plan covers food factories and warehouses, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device warehouses. Teams are tasked with verifying nutritional data accuracy and assessing adherence to approved manufacturing, transportation, and storage requirements, thereby increasing regulatory compliance.
Given the high influx of pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques during Ramadan, SFDA clarified that Makkah and Madinah regions are prioritized under a specialized, separate inspection plan.
Ahead of Ramadan, during the month of Sha'ban, SFDA conducted extensive operations across the Kingdom, resulting in 1,578 inspection visits to 310 factories and 1,017 warehouses, where multiple violations were identified, leading to the closure of six facilities and the imposition of legal penalties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
As part of its annual plan, SFDA conducted a nationwide inspection campaign during Sha'ban to verify the safety of the most consumed Ramadan products. The initiative covered 793 establishments, inspected 4,346 products, and seized over 21 tons of non-compliant goods before they reached consumers.
SFDA reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring markets to prevent the distribution of non-compliant products. Violations of the Food Law and its Implementing Regulations can result in severe penalties, including suspension of activity, imprisonment, or fines of up to SAR10 million.
SFDA urges everyone to report any violations via the unified call center at 19999 to strengthen community partnership in consumer protection.