As part of its ongoing efforts to protect public health and ensure food safety, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) that its inspection teams successfully seized more than 21 tons of non-compliant products before they reached consumers. This significant operation is part of a broader inspection campaign targeting the safety of the most consumed products during the holy month of Ramadan.

Details of the inspection campaign and targeted establishments

The authority revealed in its report that it conducted 1,578 comprehensive inspection tours across various regions of the Kingdom during the month of Sha'ban. These tours focused on vital points in the food supply chain, including:

• Visiting 310 food factories.
• Inspection of 1017 storage warehouses.

These meticulous efforts resulted in the closure of 6 violating establishments, and the detection of a number of violations that necessitated taking regulatory measures, in preparation for imposing penalties on violators in accordance with the regulations and bylaws adopted in the Kingdom.

The importance of oversight during religious seasons and in the Two Holy Mosques areas

These campaigns gain particular strategic importance with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, when consumer demand for food products rises significantly. In this context, the Authority confirmed that the safety of 4,346 products in 793 establishments was verified. The Authority indicated that the Makkah and Madinah are given top priority within a separate monitoring plan due to their high population density and the influx of pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques, which necessitates stringent safety standards to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food for the pilgrims.

Safety and quality standards: a fundamental pillar

The authority clarified that its comprehensive plan was not limited to food, but also included warehouses for medicines and medical devices. Inspection teams focused on several key areas to ensure compliance, including:

• Checking the accuracy of nutritional and dietary information on products.
• Measuring the extent to which establishments comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Monitoring transport and storage conditions to ensure that products are not damaged by environmental factors.

Through these measures, the Authority seeks to raise compliance rates with regulations and rules, thereby enhancing the quality of life and protecting the consumer from potential health risks resulting from the circulation of non-compliant products.

Deterrent penalties and the role of society

In closing, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority stressed that it will not tolerate any violations and will strictly enforce penalties against offenders, noting that violations of the Food Law and its implementing regulations can be punishable by up to:

• Financial penalties of up to 10 million riyals.
• Business activity suspended.
• Imprisonment for those responsible for serious offenses.

The authority called on all citizens and residents to strengthen community partnership by reporting any violations that are observed by calling the unified number (19999), stressing that consumer awareness is the first line of defense in the food control system.

The Insurance Authority issued an administrative decision to suspend United Cooperative Insurance Company from issuing or renewing insurance policies for all vehicle products. This decision was based on the company's failure to exercise due diligence in rectifying its operational and regulatory deficiencies, which negatively impacted the quality of services provided to policyholders and beneficiaries. The decision was made in accordance with the powers granted to the Authority and pursuant to the Cooperative Insurance Companies Control Law and its implementing regulations.

The Authority clarified in its statement that the suspension decision includes all types of vehicle insurance policies, including comprehensive insurance, and will take effect on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Authority emphasized that this measure does not relieve the company of its existing obligations, as it remains fully responsible for current insurance policies and for receiving and processing any claims arising from them, while taking all necessary measures to ensure that the interests of current customers are not affected.

Regulatory context to enhance sector stability

This decision comes within the framework of the firm regulatory role that the Insurance Authority has exercised since its establishment, which aims to regulate and supervise the insurance sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a way that ensures fair financial transactions and protects the rights of those involved. The Authority operates according to a clear strategy that aligns with the objectives of developing the financial sector, where adherence to technical standards, financial solvency, and service quality are fundamental pillars that cannot be compromised. Temporary suspension procedures are one of the regulatory tools used by the Authority to evaluate the performance of companies and encourage them to restructure their operations in accordance with regulations.

Impact of the decision and protection of the rights of the insured

This decision is of paramount importance locally, as it sends a clear message to all those working in the insurance sector about the necessity of full compliance with regulations. This measure is expected to contribute to raising the level of competitiveness based on quality and financial solvency, rather than solely on price competition. Regarding policyholders, the Authority affirmed that their rights are protected and that their current policies remain valid until their expiry dates, thus ensuring uninterrupted insurance coverage.

In closing, the Insurance Authority confirmed that the suspension will remain in effect until the regulatory body is satisfied that Al-Muttahida Company has fundamentally rectified its situation and fully complied with regulatory standards and requirements. The Authority urged all clients and rights holders facing difficulties or a lack of response from the company to promptly file their complaints through the official channels available on the Authority's "Customer Protection" website, ensuring their cases are addressed according to established procedures.