Daijiworld Media Network – Riyadh

Riyadh, Aug 29: In a sweeping crackdown on food and drug safety violations, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) in July closed 54 facilities, suspended 52 production lines, and banned the import of 40 tons of frozen poultry after detecting salmonella contamination. Expired cosmetics, forged medical devices, and unsanitary bakery practices were also targeted as part of the authority’s intensified enforcement drive.

The SFDA conducted nearly 6,000 inspection tours across the Kingdom, covering more than 4,600 facilities. As many as 1,137 establishments were found violating regulations, leading to swift penalties, seizures, and shutdowns. Around 1,000 samples were collected and analyzed for safety compliance.

Among the major violations, a warehouse that resumed illegal activity without a permit was permanently closed, bakeries using moldy and expired ingredients were penalised, and forged medical devices along with expired cosmetics stored in residential apartments were confiscated.

The authority reaffirmed that protecting community health remains its top priority, warning that violators will face strict legal consequences. It also urged residents to report violations via the unified number 19999.

Established in 2003 under a Council of Ministers’ resolution, the SFDA is an independent regulatory body tasked with safeguarding public health by overseeing the safety and quality of food, medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, and other regulated products across the Kingdom.