In July 2025, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) took major action against food and drug safety violations by closing 54 facilities, suspending 52 production lines, seizing expired and forged products, and banning the import of 40 tons of poultry contaminated with salmonella. These efforts underscore the authority’s commitment to protecting consumer health and enforcing strict regulatory standards across the Kingdom.TL;DR:
- SFDA conducted approximately 6,000 inspection tours in July, covering over 4,600 facilities and seizing 1,137 violating establishments.
- 54 firms were shut down, 52 production lines suspended, and around 1,000 samples were collected and analyzed for safety compliance.
- Entry of 40 tons of frozen poultry was banned after tests revealed contamination with salmonella; all products in the consignment were rejected and legal action initiated.
Inspection and enforcement actions
SFDA’s inspection teams targeted facilities under its supervision, including food processing plants, cosmetic and medical device distributors, bakeries, and warehouses. The authority identified 1,137 facilities violating regulatory standards, imposing swift penalties such as closures, suspensions, and sample analyses. The inspectors also cracked down on facilities that tried to operate without proper licensing or in unsanitary conditions.
Major violations detected
Notable violations comprised:
- Banning a 40-ton shipment of frozen poultry due to
salmonella contamination , ensuring that public health was protected from a major foodborne illness source. - Confiscation of expired cosmetic products and forged medical devices found stored in residential apartments, with irregular labelling intended to mislead buyers.
- Closure and permanent ban on a warehouse that resumed illegal activity without necessary permits.
- Penalties against bakeries using moldy, expired ingredients in cake production.
The SFDA emphasized that intensive inspection will continue and urged residents to play a role by reporting violations via the unified number 19999. The measures reaffirm SFDA’s position that community health and safety remain the highest priorities, and violators will face strong legal consequences.
About the SFDA
Established in 2003 under the Council of Ministers’ resolution, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority is an independent regulatory body directly reporting to the President of the Council of Ministers. Its main mission is to safeguard public health by ensuring the safety and quality of food, medicines, biological and chemical substances, medical devices, and cosmetics. The SFDA oversees all procedures related to these products, aiming to protect both human and animal health throughout the Kingdom.
FAQ
Q. Why were 54 companies shut down by the SFDA in July 2025?They were found violating food safety, health, and regulatory standards during nearly 6,000 inspections.Q. What prompted the SFDA to ban 40 tons of frozen poultry products?Laboratory tests detected salmonella contamination, a major cause of food poisoning, prompting full rejection and legal action.Q. What other violations did inspectors uncover?Expired cosmetics, medical devices with forged labelling, illegal warehouse operations, and bakeries using moldy ingredients, all confiscated and penalized.Q. How can the public help SFDA maintain safety standards?Citizens and residents are urged to report violations directly via the unified hotline 19999 to support health enforcement efforts.
