Inspection campaigns result in seizing 1,226 tonnes of non-compliant products
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Main violations included workers not having health certificates and poor compliance with hygiene and health requirements. Illustrative image.
Main violations included workers not having health certificates and poor compliance with hygiene and health requirements. Illustrative image.
Pexels
Cairo: Saudi authorities have stepped up efforts to inspect stores in Mecca and Medina to ensure compliance with safety and health standards during Ramadan.
The inspection campaigns are undertaken by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) in cooperation with the ministries of municipalities and commerce.
Since their launch in mid-Shaaban the lunar Islamic month that precedes Ramadan, inspection campaigns in Mecca and Medina have resulted in seizing 1,226 tonnes of non-compliant products after checking 1,891 facilities.
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They have also detected 29 unlicensed facilities and recorded 636 violations across 1,480 warehouses, factories and retail stores, leading to the closure of 11 facilities for violating health requirements.
Main violations included workers not having health certificates and poor compliance with hygiene and health requirements.
The SFDA said intensified inspection tours will continue in cooperation with relevant authorities throughout Ramadan and in the lead-up to the Hajj pilgrimage season in view of the increasing numbers of pilgrims and visitors to Mecca and Medina.
Known as the “Holy Capital” of Saudi Arabia, Mecca is home to the Grand Mosque, which houses the Holy Kaaba, the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide.
The month of Ramadan traditionally marks the peak season for Umrah or the minor pilgrimage in the Grand Mosque.
Many Muslims would also head to Medina to pray in the Prophet's Mosque, Islam's second holiest, and visit other Islamic landmarks there.
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