As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the food security system and protect public health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority announced its success in preventing the entry of huge shipments of non-compliant food products, amounting to approximately 1,671 tons during the last quarter of 2025. This decisive step comes within the Authority’s strategy of strict oversight of border crossings and local markets to ensure the safety of what is offered to consumers.

In its latest report, the authority revealed that its inspection teams conducted 11,547 intensive inspection tours, covering 8,897 food establishments across the Kingdom. These meticulous tours resulted in the detection of 1,460 non-compliant establishments, reflecting the high level of vigilance of the inspectors and the advanced technologies used to identify violations that could threaten food safety.

Health risks and deadly microbes

Detailed laboratory analyses conducted by the Authority's laboratories revealed that the products that were banned from entry were contaminated with a range of dangerous microbes, most notably Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). These microbes are major causes of acute food poisoning and pose a serious threat to public health, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Strategic context and the importance of oversight

These efforts are of paramount importance given the Kingdom's economic expansion and population growth, as ensuring the safety of food imports is a cornerstone of national health security. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) acts as the first line of defense against the infiltration of foodborne illnesses and epidemics, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes quality of life and public health. Addressing these contaminated shipments not only protects consumers but also spares the healthcare sector the potentially exorbitant costs of treating mass poisoning cases.

Strict penalties of up to 10 million riyals

In a related context, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) stressed the necessity for importers and commercial establishments to adhere to all approved technical regulations and standards before commencing import operations. The SFDA warned that any disregard for these standards will be met with firm action, noting that the system guarantees deterrent penalties for violators, including suspension of commercial activity, imprisonment, and fines that may reach 10 million Saudi riyals, to ensure that such practices are not repeated.

The authority concluded its statement by emphasizing that it will not tolerate any violation that affects the health and safety of citizens and residents, calling on everyone to cooperate and report any violations or suspicious products by contacting the unified call center (19999), stressing the continuation of its proactive campaigns to ensure a safe and reliable food market.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the regular session of the Council of Ministers held today (Tuesday) in Riyadh. The session witnessed the issuance of a package of strategic decisions affecting vital sectors at both the local and regional levels. The approval of the agreement for a high-speed electric rail link between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar topped the agenda, establishing a new phase of Gulf integration.

Strategic dimensions of the railway link project with Qatar

The Cabinet's approval of the high-speed rail agreement with Qatar is of paramount importance, extending far beyond its bilateral dimension. This step is an integral part of the GCC railway project, a long-held ambition to connect the six member states with a unified rail network. This direct link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two countries, facilitate the movement of citizens and residents, and bolster the growing intra-regional tourism sector.

On the economic front, this massive logistics project will enhance trade and reduce transportation and shipping costs, which serves the ambitious economic visions of both countries (Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar’s Vision 2030), and supports the transformation of the region into a global logistics hub linking East and West, taking advantage of the strategic geographical location of the Gulf states.

Intensive diplomatic efforts to strengthen international partnerships

In reviewing international relations, the Council began its session by examining the outcomes of the Saudi leadership's active diplomatic efforts, which included the telephone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as official talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Council noted the positive results of these talks, which reflect the Kingdom's political weight and have led to the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding that serve common interests and support development priorities.

Restoring economic relations with Syria and supporting regional stability

Regionally, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need to adhere to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In a significant development concerning inter-Arab relations, the Kingdom gave special attention to the Syrian issue, with the Cabinet commending the visit of the high-level Saudi delegation to Damascus.

This visit aims to activate economic cooperation and launch strategic projects and contracts encompassing vital sectors that directly impact the lives of Syrian citizens, such as civil aviation, telecommunications, water, industry, and education. This step culminates the process of resuming relations and Syria's return to its Arab fold, as the Kingdom seeks, through these partnerships, to contribute to the rehabilitation of Syria's infrastructure and drive economic growth, thereby enhancing the prospects for stability in the region as a whole.

Regulatory decisions and peaceful nuclear agreements

To complement its busy agenda, the Council issued a number of regulatory decisions and international agreements, including:

• Nuclear Energy: The Minister of Energy is authorized to discuss with the Jordanian and Turkish sides draft agreements for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy, reflecting the Kingdom’s direction to diversify energy sources.
• Travel facilities: Approval of mutual visa exemption agreements with both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mongolia for holders of diplomatic and special passports.
• Cultural and health cooperation: Strengthening frameworks for cultural cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan, and deepening health cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic.
• Environment and Regulation: Forming a permanent committee concerned with asbestos and monitoring the implementation of its ban to protect public health, and approving the regulatory arrangements for the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy.

The Council concluded its session by affirming the Kingdom’s continued commitment to its approach of supporting multilateral international cooperation, praising the Kingdom’s winning the presidency of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Internal Auditors, and the outcomes of the Al-Ula Conference for Emerging Market Economies, which enhances the Kingdom’s position as a global economic destination.