Qassim Facility Fined SAR 500,000 By SFDA For Tampering With Banned Fish Import Details

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a SAR500,000 fine on a facility in the Qassim region. The penalty was for altering data on a type of fish that is not permitted for import into Saudi Arabia, intending to sell it locally.

SFDA received a request to inspect a shipment containing eight fish species stored in a warehouse. These fish were imported from outside the Kingdom. During the inspection, discrepancies were found between the information on the label and the customs declaration for one of the fish species.

Inspectors took samples and discovered that one of the imported species, river tilapia, did not match what was listed on the label. Importing this species is prohibited in Saudi Arabia. The shipment, weighing about 2 tons, was rejected.

The facility involved was referred to relevant authorities for further regulatory procedures. Penalties were imposed according to the Food System and its executive regulations. The penalty for trading or promoting food containing banned substances includes a fine of SAR 500,000.

Additionally, violators may be prevented or suspended from engaging in any work related to the food system. This ensures compliance with local and international food safety standards.

Consumer Reporting

SFDA encourages consumers to report violations in supervised establishments. Reports can be made by calling the unified number (19999) or through the "Tameni" application.

This action highlights SFDA's commitment to maintaining food safety standards in Saudi Arabia. Ensuring that only approved products are available in the market protects public health.

With inputs from SPA