Food establishments in Mecca closed and fines totaling 10 million riyals imposed

As part of the intensive preparations to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, the General Authority for Food and Drug extensive inspection campaigns in the Holy City, which resulted in the closure of a number of food establishments that violated health and technical requirements.

Intensive field visits in preparation for Ramadan

The CEO of the Authority, Professor Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, conducted a field visit to assess the readiness of the monitoring system in Makkah. The inspection tour included visits to several factories and food storage facilities to ensure their compliance with approved technical regulations and standards. These proactive measures aim to guarantee the safety of food products, which are in high demand during the holy month, reflecting the commitment of the relevant authorities to providing safe and wholesome food for pilgrims and residents of the region.

The importance of oversight in the Holy City

These campaigns are of particular strategic importance given the status of Mecca, which witnesses the influx of millions of pilgrims and visitors during Ramadan. The immense pressure on food supply chains presents a challenge requiring rigorous oversight to ensure that no unfit or unidentified products enter the market. The Authority operates within an integrated system aimed at protecting public health and enhancing the reliability of food provided to pilgrims, which aligns with the Kingdom's objectives of improving the quality of life and serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Strict penalties: fines and imprisonment

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) affirmed that it will not hesitate to apply the prescribed penalties against violators, in accordance with the Food Law and its implementing regulations. These penalties include deterrent measures that can reach:

• Imposing huge financial penalties that could reach 10 million riyals .
• The violating establishment will be temporarily or permanently closed and licenses will be withdrawn.
• Imprisonment penalty for those responsible for trading food that is harmful to health.

This strict enforcement of the law aims to deter any practices that may threaten consumer safety, and to ensure that all establishments adhere to the highest standards of quality, storage and transportation.

Commitment to standards and smart monitoring

The inspection tours focused on verifying the safety of production lines, the accuracy of nutritional information (nutrition labels), and adherence to proper storage requirements to prevent food spoilage due to improper handling. During his tour, Dr. Al-Jada'i emphasized the necessity of implementing sound operational practices at all stages of the food chain, from raw materials to the final product in the markets. He affirmed that monitoring campaigns would continue throughout the coming period to ensure the markets remain free of any violations.