Riyadh: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has fined a facility in the Qassim region SAR500,000 for altering the data of a type of fish that is not allowed to be imported into the Kingdom, with the intention of selling it in the Saudi market.
SFDA received a request to inspect a shipment containing eight fish species in a warehouse imported from outside the Kingdom. During the inspection, the inspectors found discrepancies in the information provided for one of the fish species on the label and the customs declaration. Subsequently, samples were taken, and it was discovered that one of the imported species, river tilapia, did not match what was included on the label, and its import was prohibited.
The rejected shipment, weighing about 2 tons, and the facility were referred to the relevant authorities for further regulatory procedures, and penalties were imposed in compliance with the Food System and its executive regulations.
According to the relevant regulations, the penalty for this violation (trad
ing or promoting food or any of its derivatives that contain internationally or locally forbidden, contaminated, or banned substances or for which a trading ban has been issued) is a fine of SAR 500,000, in addition to preventing or suspending the violator from engaging in any work related to the food system.
SFDA urged consumers to report violations in supervised establishments by calling the unified number (19999) or through the ‘Tameni’ application.
Source: Saudi Press Agency