RIYADH, 11 June 2003 — More than 28,000 stores selling foodstuffs in Riyadh alone were found violating the municipality’s health regulations, raising concerns how to ensure better public health and hygiene in Saudi Arabia.
Similar trends have been reported in different regions of the Kingdom, according to municipal sources.
“The municipality carried out some 37,000 inspections covering more than 120,000 stores and supermarkets in the city last year, which resulted in the detection of violations by a large number of stores and groceries”, said Abdulrahman ibn Abdulmohsen Al-Mansour, director general of environment and health in the Riyadh Municipality.
Al-Mansour said that many supermarkets and groceries were found to be openly selling food products that can prove harmful to consumers.
Several municipalities have been conducting regular inspections of supermarkets and food stores, and violators are fined.
A report published recently said that a number of foreign companies had been supplying such products. Recently, US-based Campbell Soup Co was found exporting frozen ducks which contained harmful ingredients.
Saudi Arabia has set up a laboratory at the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) to test products for harmful ingredients.
SASO also works closely with other health and food organizations. Over 30 percent of the total food products consumed in Saudi Arabia is imported.
