Latest news with #FoodLaw
Saudi Gazette
15 hours ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA shuts frozen food factory, halts production lines over serious violations
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has shut down a frozen ready-to-eat food factory and suspended production lines at several other facilities after uncovering serious health violations that posed direct risks to consumer safety. The enforcement actions followed inspection campaigns carried out last month as part of SFDA's proactive monitoring program to ensure compliance with national food safety standards and prevent potential foodborne illnesses. In one facility producing pickles and ready meals, inspectors found poor hygiene, unsafe operating practices, and ineffective safety supervision — conditions conducive to the growth of harmful pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella spp., all of which can cause acute food poisoning. Although the facility was given a deadline to correct the violations under Article 12 of the Food Law (Royal Decree No. M/38, dated 28/4/1440H), it failed to comply within the required timeframe. This led to the full suspension of its production lines and the initiation of legal proceedings. In a separate case, violations were detected at another facility producing ready-to-eat poultry products. These included employing unlicensed workers, lacking a valid HACCP food safety certification, storing expired food without clear separation, and using corroded, unsafe food-contact equipment. The SFDA imposed fines under Article 20 of the Food Law's executive regulations and partially suspended the facility's operations until corrective measures are taken. Additionally, the authority suspended 11 production lines across several dairy and frozen pastry plants after lab tests confirmed contamination with Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of foodborne illness. All facilities were instructed to implement corrective action plans within 30 days, including upgrading quality systems, retraining staff, and replacing non-compliant equipment. Follow-up inspections will ensure compliance. The SFDA emphasized that these actions reflect its commitment to preventive public health protection and are supported by legal provisions allowing stringent measures, including suspension, imprisonment, or fines up to SR10 million. The authority urged consumers to report any suspected food violations via the unified hotline (19999), affirming that food safety is a shared responsibility from production to the dining table.
Khaleej Times
18-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi shuts down cafeteria over repeated food safety violations
Authorities in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi have shut down a cafeteria due to repeated food safety violations that posed a significant danger to public health. On Friday, July 18, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) said that it shut down Cocobona Cafeteria. Cocobona Cafeteria, with commercial licence number CN- 3952783 was closed for violating Food Law No. (2) of 2008 in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Adafsa said. The authority added that the decision to administratively close the establishment was taken because its practices posed a serious risk to public health. Adafsa clarified that the food control report indicated that the administrative closure decision was issued due to repeated food safety violations and the failure to implement effective corrective measures, necessitating an immediate intervention to safeguard food safety and consumer health. The authority conducts regular checks of eateries and restaurants in the emirate, often shutting down places that are not operating up to local standards or violating food-related health and safety laws.
Gulf Insider
28-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: SFDA Penalizes Food Safety Violators
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has taken punitive measures against erring food establishments in various regions of Saudi Arabia. It affirmed zero tolerance for any violations affecting food safety. Inspection teams from SFDA, in coordination with relevant government agencies, detected a number of violations related to food safety and quality as part of their ongoing inspections of food establishments. This inspection aims to enhance proactive oversight and limit any practices that lead to contamination or food poisoning. The inspections resulted in the seizure of more than two tons of food of unknown origin, in addition to the destruction of approximately 200 kg of spoiled products unfit for human consumption. Large quantities of food stored in conditions that do not comply with health requirements and standards were also detected at a residential site run by expatriate workers. The workers were arrested and legal action was taken against them. In a related development, the SFDA halted production lines at a food factory after seizing approximately 150 kg of products of unknown origin. The inspection tours revealed several violations affecting product safety, including the possession of unknown raw materials and a clear decline in hygiene standards, which led to spreading of insects inside the raw materials warehouse, along with rust in food preparation equipment, the use of ineffective insect traps, and the presence of expired materials in the production hall. The emergency door was also found as a direct passage for workers to the production area, in violation of safe entry standards for food establishments. These measures are part of the precautionary oversight process aimed at protecting consumers and highlight the effectiveness of coordination and integration between relevant authorities in ensuring establishments' compliance with safety and quality standards. The authority reiterated that it has taken all necessary legal measures against violators, noting that violating the Food Law and its executive regulations is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years or a fine of up to SR10 million, or both. The authority stressed its continued efforts to monitor food establishments' compliance with regulatory requirements, calling for reporting any violations via the unified number 19999.
Saudi Gazette
26-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA penalizes food safety violators
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has taken punitive measures against erring food establishments in various regions of Saudi Arabia. It affirmed zero tolerance for any violations affecting food safety. Inspection teams from SFDA, in coordination with relevant government agencies, detected a number of violations related to food safety and quality as part of their ongoing inspections of food establishments. This inspection aims to enhance proactive oversight and limit any practices that lead to contamination or food poisoning. The inspections resulted in the seizure of more than two tons of food of unknown origin, in addition to the destruction of approximately 200 kg of spoiled products unfit for human consumption. Large quantities of food stored in conditions that do not comply with health requirements and standards were also detected at a residential site run by expatriate workers. The workers were arrested and legal action was taken against them. In a related development, the SFDA halted production lines at a food factory after seizing approximately 150 kg of products of unknown origin. The inspection tours revealed several violations affecting product safety, including the possession of unknown raw materials and a clear decline in hygiene standards, which led to spreading of insects inside the raw materials warehouse, along with rust in food preparation equipment, the use of ineffective insect traps, and the presence of expired materials in the production hall. The emergency door was also found as a direct passage for workers to the production area, in violation of safe entry standards for food establishments. These measures are part of the precautionary oversight process aimed at protecting consumers and highlight the effectiveness of coordination and integration between relevant authorities in ensuring establishments' compliance with safety and quality standards. The authority reiterated that it has taken all necessary legal measures against violators, noting that violating the Food Law and its executive regulations is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years or a fine of up to SR10 million, or both. The authority stressed its continued efforts to monitor food establishments' compliance with regulatory requirements, calling for reporting any violations via the unified number 19999.
Leaders
04-06-2025
- Business
- Leaders
25 Projects Open for Public Feedback on 'Istitlaa' Platform
The National Competitiveness Center (NCC), through its Public Consultation Platform Istitlaa, has launched 25 projects focused on economic and developmental matters. In collaboration with 12 government entities, the NCC invites the public, private sector, and government stakeholders to review and comment on these proposals before their final approval. Highlighted Projects: Ministry of Tourism: Amendment of the Violation Table for Tourism Consultation Activities—seeks to revise the penalties for hospitality establishments to align with updated regulations and industry standards. Open for feedback until June 8, 2025. Ministry of Municipalities and Housing: Updates to Municipal Requirements for Transportation Service Centers in 2025—aims to improve the business environment in the transportation sector. Feedback period ends June 16, 2025. Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture: Regulations for Issuing New Well Drilling Licenses on the Sedimentary Shelf—focuses on protecting and sustaining non-renewable groundwater for agricultural and livestock use. Consultation closes June 17, 2025. Capital Market Authority: Regulatory Framework for Offshore Securities Business Licenses proposes new licensing regulations for offshore securities operations. Open for feedback until June 28, 2025. Saudi Food and Drug Authority: Amendments to the General Food and Drug Authority Law and Food Law—aims to modernize regulations governing the licensing and oversight of food establishments. Consultation ends June 30, 2025. These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to transparency and inclusive decision-making. Finally, Istitlaa strengthens civic engagement and supports a more responsive legislative environment. Related Topics: CST, Aramco Digital Launch AI-Powered Crowd Management Trial at Holy Sites China Is Major Market for Saudi Aramco: CEO Saudi Aramco Records $106bn Profits in 2024 Saudi Arabia to Launch NextGen Investment Forum to Cultivate Future Hospitality Leaders Short link : Post Views: 17 Related Stories
