As part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health and ensure the safety of food provided to consumers, the Jeddah Governorate Municipality carried out a proactive and qualitative strike that resulted in the destruction of 5 tons of spoiled meat and food products, as part of its intensive monitoring campaigns that precede the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.
Details of the raid: Residential apartments turned into contaminated laboratories
Field inspection teams uncovered serious violations in southern Jeddah neighborhoods, where violators had exploited residential buildings, converting them into unlicensed commercial dens far from the eyes of inspectors. Yasser Bakhsh, Director General of Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena, explained that the campaign discovered a residential building that had been completely transformed into a meat processing facility for "Siriyeh" skewers, operating in an environment lacking even the most basic hygiene standards. Inspectors observed an infestation of insects and contamination of preparation equipment, posing a serious threat to consumer health.
Increased monitoring in preparation for Ramadan season
These campaigns are of paramount importance at this particular time, as Saudi markets witness increased consumer activity with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan. Municipalities and local authorities across the Kingdom are intensifying their field inspections to ensure food safety and rid markets of goods of unknown origin. This is aimed at preventing any cases of food poisoning or health problems that may result from consuming products that do not meet health standards, especially given the high demand for restaurants and butcher shops during this season.
Integrating government efforts to control violators
The campaign was not limited to confiscating spoiled meat; it also involved close cooperation between several government sectors, including the Zakat and Tax Authority, Customs, the Ministry of Commerce, Civil Defense, and the Field Control Force. This cooperation resulted in:
- A hidden warehouse containing an unlicensed cafe that was illegally serving drinks and tobacco products was seized.
- 500 pieces of furniture and equipment used in these illegal activities were confiscated and destroyed.
- Four shops operating without licenses were closed, and strict legal measures were taken against the building owners involved in covering up these violations.
Call for community participation
In closing, the Jeddah Municipality stressed that citizens and residents are the first line of defense and strategic partners in monitoring, calling on everyone not to hesitate to report any observations or health violations through the "Baladi" application or by contacting the unified reporting center (940), confirming that its tours are continuing to clean the markets and ensure a safe food environment for all.
