Saudi Food and Drug Authority shut 773 companies in 2020

Abu Dhabi: Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority said 773 businesses were closed, 140 production lines suspended, and 882 violations of unlicensed activity were seized in 2020, according to its annual report.

The total fines imposed on the facilities amounted to nearly 26.4 million and the number of visits was 131,913, an increase of 157 per cent, compared to 2019.

Foodstuffs

The foodstuff activity topped the list of seizures and violations, as 12,485 tickets were issued to businesses, 392 facilities were closed, 45 production lines suspended, and 468 violations of unlicensed activity were seized.

Herbal and pharmaceutical

It was followed by the herbal and pharmaceutical activity with 3,364 tickets issued, 62 facilities closed, 18 production lines suspended, 62 violations of unlicensed activity seized. The volume of seized products amounted to 1.09 million 9packages, while the number of samples withdrawn was 2,226, and 30.8million packages were destroyed.

Cosmetics

Some 192 cosmetic facilities were closed, 2,420 tickets were issued, 47 production lines suspended, and 193 violations of unlicensed activity seized. As many as 9.65 million packages were siezed, 3,636 samples withdrawn, and 233,998 packages destroyed.

Medical

Some 102 facilities in the activity of medical devices were shut down, six production lines suspended, 1,575 violations issued, and 76 violations of practicing unlicensed activity seized. The volume of seized products amounted to 74.6million packages, of which 5.8 million were destroyed.

Water and juice

Also, nine facilities in the water and juice activity were closed, 18 production lines suspended, 29 violations of unlicensed activity were seized, and 1,585 violations were issued. Six production lines were suspended, 40 violations of unlicensed activity seized.

The number of inspection visits reached 131,913, an increase of 157 per cent over 2019.