Riyadh: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as part of its preparations for Ramadan 1447 AH, conducted a comprehensive inspection campaign across the Kingdom's public markets and slaughterhouses during the second week of February. The campaign, which aimed to ensure operational readiness and food safety, resulted in 17,948 visits to various facilities.
According to Saudi Press Agency, field teams comprising 494 inspectors identified and subsequently destroyed over 58,500 kg of vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish that failed to meet health standards. During the same period, the ministry issued 2,896 violations and warnings to non-compliant establishments. Additionally, laboratory tests were conducted on 1,482 agricultural products to check for pesticide residues.
The ministry reported that abattoirs processed a total of 111,322 head of sheep, cattle, and camels during the inspection period, ensuring safe meat processing for the community.
Beyond enforcement, the campaign focused on education and sustainability. It saw the participation of 31 food preservation associations and the implementation of 368 awareness campaigns designed to promote sound health practices among both service providers and beneficiaries.
The ministry emphasized that these efforts are designed to ensure markets and abattoirs can efficiently handle the increased demand typical of Ramadan. The campaign prioritizes adherence to the highest compliance standards, ensuring product quality, and improving overall service levels for the public.