Keeping Hajis safe: Unfit foodstuff seized

RIYADH: In a major drive to keep Hajis healthy, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has confiscated 4,211 unfit consumable items and 40,000 non-consumable items from the shops in Makkah and Madinah.
The inspections were carried out intensively to prevent the sale of unhealthy goods that contravene the local regulations to the pilgrims, said the ministry.
The confiscated items included Zamzam water, frozen chicken, frozen meat, potatoes, pickles, cheese, pineapple jam, olive oil, juice, biscuits, dairy products, cake, chips, tea, cookies with dates, croissant, soda, spices and candies.
The seized non-consumable items were found not in compliance with the Saudi Standard Specifications and Consumer Protection Regulation.
They included electric plugs, cell chargers, mobile accessories, chains, cosmetic items, eyeliners, cream, Vaseline, incense, henna, shampoo, soap, washing liquid, handbags and perfumes.
The ministry has also planned to begin intensive inspections of jewelry and precious metal shops to verify calibration and to check the scales used in such stores.
The authorities regularly inspect fuel stations, especially those located on the pilgrims’ routes, to calibrate the fuel pumps. Tire shops are inspected to verify their items’ quality and validity and to confiscate second-hand and expired tires.