Operating under a comprehensive plan for the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has strengthened the inspection teams’ efforts across all regions of the Kingdom. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory compliance among establishments under its supervision and verify that products meet quality and safety standards, thereby protecting consumers and limiting the circulation of non-compliant products.

The SFDA indicated that its plan covers food factories and warehouses, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device warehouses. Teams are tasked with verifying nutritional data accuracy and assessing adherence to approved manufacturing, transportation, and storage requirements, thereby increasing regulatory compliance.

Given the high influx of pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Ramadan, the SFDA clarified that the Makkah and Madinah provinces are prioritized under a specialized, separate inspection plan.

Ahead of Ramadan, during the month of Sha'ban, the SFDA conducted extensive operations across the Kingdom, yielding a total of 1,578 inspection visits covering 310 factories and 1,017 warehouses. As a result of these efforts, multiple violations were identified, leading to the closure of six facilities and the imposition of legal penalties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

As part of its annual plan, the SFDA conducted a nationwide inspection campaign during Sha’ban to verify the safety of the most consumed Ramadan products. The initiative covered 793 establishments, inspecting 4,346 products and seizing over 21 tons of non-compliant goods before they reached consumers.

The SFDA reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring markets to prevent the distribution of non-compliant products. Violations of the Food Law and its Implementing Regulations can result in severe penalties, including suspension of activity, imprisonment, or fines of up to 10 million Saudi Riyals.

The SFDA urges everyone to report any violations via the unified call center at (19999) to strengthen community partnership in consumer protection.