RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has seized 487 tons of illegal food in various parts of the Kingdom over the first six months of the year.
It has also lodged 45 complaints against the perpetrators. Over the period, SFDA inspectors visited 1,777 establishments, which included 300 warehouses and food distribution centers in various regions of the Kingdom.
Makkah topped the regions with 350 tons, representing 72 percent of the total quantity of food seized. The inspectors visited 420 warehouses and 78 distribution centers in the region.
The Eastern Province followed with 103 tons seized after inspection of 284 depots and 64 distribution centers. Warnings were issued to the violators.
Riyadh region came in third with 31 tons seized after inspectors visited 350 warehouses and 73 distribution centers in the region. The rest were seized at 201 depots and 85 distribution centers in other regions.
The seizures coincided with tough measures instituted by the SFDA, which is in control of imported food entering Saudi Arabia. Such measures helped prevent the illegal entry of more than 13.3 million kilograms of various food items.
