1,387 Inspection Tours, 225 Violating Facilities in June

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) detected approximately 225 violating facilities and 541 products during 1,387 inspection tours conducted across all regions of the Kingdom in June 2024.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, the SFDA discovered an unlicensed warehouse in Riyadh that stored 150,000 cosmetic products and over 60 tons of expired food products. The facility was found to have materials and tools suspected of being used to alter expiration dates. The warehouse was subsequently closed, and all violating items were destroyed in coordination with the Riyadh Municipality. Violations related to the storage of foodstuffs and cosmetic products without proper licensing were noted, and legal procedures are being pursued.

During field surveys in Bahra Governorate, inspectors discovered a yard where returned medical devices, such as radiology machines, magnetic resonance devices, dialysis machines, and incubators, were being improperly stored and maintained. These devices were repaired on-site and resold. All items were confiscated, and standard procedures are being completed in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The SFDA also received information regarding the manufacturing of veterinary medicines at a location in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate. The SFDA's inspectors immediately conducted field surveys and investigations. The inspections revealed a facility where veterinary medicines were being produced in a primitive manner. They found 10,000 manufactured veterinary medicines ready for distribution, approximately 15,000 packaging posters, manufacturing equipment, and 10,000 unregistered veterinary preparations, as well as 6,538 feed additives and pesticides stored at the site. All items were confiscated, and violations related to the unauthorized manufacturing of veterinary medicines, as well as the unauthorized storage of veterinary preparations, feed additives, and pesticides, were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action.

The impact of these inspections and seizures is evident in ensuring the safety and quality of food, pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic products, along with veterinary medicines. The SFDA aims to protect the market and consumers from commercial fraud and products of unknown origin while increasing compliance among establishments under its supervision with laws, regulations, specifications, and requirements.

The SFDA confirms that legal measures are being taken against violators and encourages the public to report any violations by calling the unified number (19999) or through the "Tameni" application.