Jeddah Municipality seizes 10 tons of spoiled baked goods and shuts down an illegal site
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health and ensure food safety, the Jeddah Municipality a significant blow to violators of municipal regulations. Inspection teams successfully raided and shut down an unlicensed facility used for preparing and storing baked goods under conditions that failed to meet even the most basic health standards. This operation was part of an intensive field campaign conducted in the southeastern part of the governorate, which resulted in the confiscation and destruction of approximately 10 tons of food products and baked goods deemed unfit for human consumption.
Details of the seizure and serious violations
The Director General of the Department for Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena at the Municipality, Yasser bin Siraj Bakhsh, explained the details of the incident, noting that a field inspection led inspectors to a bakery that appeared permanently closed from the outside. However, a closer examination revealed suspicious activity inside. Upon raiding the premises, they seized a massive quantity of ready-to-distribute baked goods, estimated at approximately 10 tons, in an environment lacking basic hygiene, with a heavy insect infestation and clearly improper storage practices. Furthermore, irregular accounting records were found, confirming the presence of commercial concealment and illegal practices.
The violations didn't stop at the bakery; field investigations revealed that the illegal activity extended to a neighboring two-story house. The violators had completely converted the ground floor into a makeshift kitchen and storage area, dividing the space into nine rooms used for kneading, mixing, and storing raw materials, while simultaneously serving as sleeping quarters for the workers—a blatant violation of health regulations. Rusty and damaged equipment was also found, emitting foul odors that posed a serious health risk to consumers.
The importance of municipal oversight and its impact on public health
These inspection campaigns are of paramount importance in protecting the community from the health risks associated with consuming contaminated food. Unregulated establishments operating outside the purview of oversight are often breeding grounds for bacteria and germs that cause food poisoning, due to the lack of sterilization, the use of raw materials of unknown origin, and the employment of workers without health certificates proving they are free from infectious diseases. These efforts underscore the commitment of relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to implementing the highest standards of food quality and safety, in line with the objectives of the Quality of Life Program.
Strict measures and a sustainable strategy
The municipality confirmed that the campaign was carried out in direct coordination with the Umm Al-Salam sub-municipality. Specialized teams immediately went to the site and destroyed all the seized quantities, both inside the bakery and the adjacent house. The violating premises were closed, and all necessary legal measures were taken against those involved. These steps are part of the Jeddah Municipality's comprehensive strategy to combat negative phenomena within residential neighborhoods and prevent the conversion of homes into unlicensed workshops and factories.
In closing, the Jeddah Municipality stressed that it will not tolerate any violations that affect the health of citizens and residents, calling on everyone to cooperate and contribute to eliminating these phenomena by reporting any suspicion or violation through the unified reporting service center (940), stressing that community awareness is the first line of defense to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all.
