SFDA Detects Over 1,800 Violations

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has intensified its field visits to food factories and distribution centers across various cities and regions of Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to ensure the availability of necessary licenses, verify the existence and effectiveness of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, and confirm the presence of an effective tracking system.

The SFDA stated that during 10,238 field survey visits conducted at food establishments under its supervision between May 25 and July 9, 2024, it detected 1,808 violations, resulting in financial fines totaling 4,589,500 SAR. Among the establishments visited, 4,961 were licensed, while 893 were unlicensed. Violations included the absence of a license to operate, the lack or ineffectiveness of the HACCP system for hazard analysis and critical control points, and the absence of an effective tracking system in warehouses.

HACCP is a preventive system focused on food safety, identifying hazards—whether biological, chemical, or physical—that could threaten food safety, and pinpointing critical control points (CCPs) that need to be managed to ensure product safety.

The SFDA conducts regular inspection campaigns on the establishments under its supervision in cooperation with relevant authorities to verify compliance with approved technical regulations and food safety standards.

The SFDA confirms its commitment to addressing any violations and will continue to apply legal procedures against violators, particularly those whose actions directly jeopardize public health and consumer safety. The public is encouraged to report violations in establishments under the SFDA’s supervision by calling the unified number (19999) or through the "Tameni" app.