The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) conducted 1,387 inspection rounds on establishments and products under its supervision across all regions of the Kingdom in June 2024. Approximately 225 violating establishments and 541 types of products were seized during these inspections.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, SFDA seized an unlicensed warehouse in Riyadh. The warehouse was found to be storing 150,000 cosmetic products and over 60 tons of expired food products. Materials and tools suspected of being used to alter expiration dates were also discovered. As a result, the warehouse was closed, and all violating quantities were disposed of in coordination with the Riyadh Municipality.
The warehouse owners faced violations for storing food products and cosmetics without obtaining a license, and legal procedures are currently in progress.
Additionally, SFDA conducted field surveys in Bahra Governorate and seized a yard where medical devices returned from health complexes were being stored, main
tained, and randomly resold. The authorities confiscated all the devices found, and legal proceedings are underway in coordination with the relevant authorities.
SFDA also received information about the unauthorized manufacturing of veterinary pharmaceuticals in Hafar Al-Batin Governorate. After conducting field surveys and inspections, the inspectors seized a facility where unregulated veterinary drugs were being manufactured. The authorities confiscated approximately 10,000 veterinary drugs, 15,000 labels used for packaging, and manufacturing equipment. Moreover, 10,000 unregistered veterinary drugs and 6,538 feed additives and pesticides were found at the site.
The individuals responsible for these activities faced violations for practising veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing without a license, storing veterinary pharmaceuticals without a license, and storing feed additives and pesticides without a license. The violators were referred to the public prosecution to complete the legal procedures.
The i
nspections and seizures conducted by the SFDA aim to ensure the safety and quality of food, pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and veterinary products. These efforts also seek to protect the market and consumers from commercial fraud, counterfeit products, and products of unknown origin. Furthermore, they are intended to enhance establishments’ compliance with regulations, bylaws, specifications, and requirements under the SFDA’s supervision.
SFDA emphasizes the importance of taking legal action against violators and encourages individuals to report violations observed in establishments under its supervision by contacting the unified number (19999) or through the “Tameni” application.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
