Research and Studies

Assessment of the Hygienic Standards of Food Catering Establishments in Holy Sites Makkah Al Mukarramh and Al Madinah Al Munawarah

The hygienic status of food catering establishments in Holy Sites Makkah Al Mukarramh and Al Madinah Al Munawarahwere assessed during the 1425 H pilgrimage season to pinpoint the hazards that may cause food poisoning to pilgrims. The study covered 60 caterers in Makkah (serving 4000 – 40000 meals per day) with an average of 20 food handlers per establishments. Seven establishments specializing in catering for pilgrims (serving 1500 – 50000 meals per day) with an average of 79 food handlers per establishments in Al Madinah were also included in the study.  Food inspection was conducted to evaluate the status of the hygienic and sanitation aspects of pilgrims catering establishments such as location; its surrounding environment; the external and internal condition of the building; the extent of applying hygienic measures during food preparation, service, transportation and preservation according to its nature; and waste disposal. The hygienic practices of the workers in these premises were also evaluated.
The study showed that 78% of food catering establishments had violation notes in their heath inspection log book 4% were working without the heath inspection log book. The study revealed that the surrounding environment were not suitable for the activities of the majority (98%) of the food catering establishments, as the surrounding environment considered a good haven for pests, a source of offensive smell or contained stalled water.  As for the condition of the building, the roofs were unclean in 39% of the establishments and cracked and broken walls and floor were noticed in 52% of establishments.   Doors and windows in 48% of establishments were unclean and were not pest proof. Insect traps were not working or not enough in 63% of establishments. Cleaning and disinfecting food containers and utensils were inappropriate in 45% of the establishments. Wastes were observed on the floors while wastes were left in the containers for extended period of times in 57% of the establishments 40% respectively. Uncovered drainage was found in 27% of the establishments.  Moreover, there were shortcomings with regard to the improper thawing of frozen foods, re-serving of hot meal leftovers and transportation of meals in cars not equipped for transferring foods in 37%, 48% and 42% of establishments respectively.

It could be concluded that meeting sanitary requirements in catering establishments needs more attention in order to limit or prevent food poisoning among the pilgrims.

Assessment of the Hygienic Standards of Food Service Establishments on Pilgrims Land Rout

The hygienic status of food service premises and groceries was assessed during the 1425 H pilgrimage season. The study covered all of the food premises on Riyadh – Jeddah and Al-Bat'h– Riyadh Highways. Some of the food establishments on Jeddah – Makkah and Madinah – Makkah Highways were included in the study. Food inspection was conducted to evaluate the hygienic status of the location and surrounding environment; the condition of the building exterior and interior; ways of preparing, displaying and preserving foods according to their nature. The hygienic practices of the workers in these premises were also evaluated.

The study showed that 66% and 76% of the restaurants and groceries respectively had violations and remarks in their heath inspection book. It was found that 32% and 18% of the restaurants and groceries respectively were working without having heath inspection book. The study revealed that the surrounding environment of all of the food included in the study was not suitable for their activities. Risks of high level were observed in 54% of restaurants and 29% of groceries due to incorrect ways of food preparation and service, display and storage. The malpractices of the food handlers (workers) were observed in 91% and 17% of the restaurants and groceries included in the study respectively. The results indicated lower level of sanitation in restaurants than groceries.

However, more attention is needed toward applying sanitary measures in food service establishments on Pilgrims Land Rout to limit or prevent food poisoning.

Survey Study on Foods Accompanied by Pilgrims coming from Abroad

A field study was conducted during the 1425 H pilgrimage season to survey the foods accompanied by pilgrims coming to Jeddah seaport and airport. The objective of the study was to identify types of food (raw, backed, cooked ...etc), food risk level (low, medium and high), date of expiry, packaging, signs of spoilage, food quantities and the reason for bringing the foods (personal use, sale/gift). Foods were checked and data were collected by means of a questionnaire. Pilgrims were randomly selected at King AbdulAziz International Airport (900 pilgrims) and Jeddah Seaport (100 pilgrims).

The foods quantities accompanied by the pilgrims coming via air and sea were 0.6- 2.9 and 0.5- 10 kg/pilgrim respectively. The over all average number of food varieties was 2.5/pilgrim of the following categories: cereals and their products; nuts; meat, fish and egg; milk, cheese; fruits and vegetables; tea, coffee and cacao; honey, sugar and sweets; fat and oil; and spices. Medium risk foods were accompanied 55% of pilgrims coming by air, while low risk foods were noticed with 45% of pilgrims coming by sea. On the other hand, 57% of foods accompanied by pilgrims coming via air were raw and 17% was dried and 54% of food accompanied by pilgrims coming by sea   was raw and 35% was dried. No taints were noticed in the majority of foods accompanied by pilgrims. Pilgrims coming by air had the highest amount of unlabeled packaged foods, while those coming by sea had unpacked food. The majority of Pilgrims coming by air (99%) and (68.5%) of   those coming by sea indicated that the reason for bringing foods was for personal use.  The reason for bringing food for sale/gift was indicated by 31.5% of pilgrims coming by sea.

The results indicated the need for more awareness on food safety issues in general and more control measures.

The Evaluation of Blood Banks and Blood Transfusion in Saudi Arabia

Starting from the responsibility of drug sector to ensure the safety of blood and blood derivatives circulating in Saudi Arabia, the drug sector plans with the Deputy Ministry of Blood Banks to do an evaluation of blood banks in both governmental and private sectors to determine the extent of its commitment with the SOP's in this field and make a full report about the performance level in these institutions and make recommendations for the final guidelines in order to raise the level of services of blood transfusion in Saudi Arabia to reach the desired target which is "the availability of safe blood for everyone".

Note that the number of blood banks in Saudi Arabia is 253 banks, 173 blood bank in the ministry of health, 50 blood bank in private hospitals and 30 blood bank in different governmental sectors which include: universities, armed forces, national guard, security forces and king faisal specialist hospital.

The SFDA's Hajj Survey

The SFDA in cooperation with a research team from King Saud University led by Professor Saleh Bawazir Performed a survey and established a database of the Pharmaceutical Products brought by Hajjij during the hajj season 1426.

During the survey, 1475 Pharmaceutical and herbal products were inspected and evaluated. Most of these products came from Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan and India. These products are mainly produced in India, Indonesia and Pakistan and they were mainly Analgesics and Antibiotics.

The research team analyzed 29 samples in order to determine their true components:

• 10.3 % of the samples had Phenylbutazone which is an analgesic withdrawn from the market for its side effects.
• 13.8 % had a high concentration of heavy metals.
• 10.3 % were Herbal Products mixed with chemical medicines.

The research shows that the hajj season could be an open gate for counterfeited medicines and smuggling. And it also confirms that these products came from countries internationally known as a very well known source for counterfeited medicines.

The SFDA shall do more similar studies in order to do its required role and to ensure the safety and quality of medicines.

The SFDA's Project of Veterinary Products and Veterinary Pharmacies Registration, Licensing and surveillance:

The SFDA works to guarantee safety and efficacy of food and drugs for consumers. And since one of the sources of food is animal products, the SFDA - in addition to its controlling and surveillance tasks of these products - make sure the safety of veterinary drugs is granted which will have a direct impact on the health of animals and thus on humans who consumes these products. From that scope, the drug sector made a survey study to identify registration methods of veterinary drugs and veterinary pharmacies licensing. The study included also bulk stores in which drugs are stored and selection of random samples to check compliance with standards and specifications of veterinary products.