SFDA rejected 1,137 tons of imported foods at the points of entry during last Ramadan..

SFDA clarified that the rejection of these imported foods was due to violation of the approved standard specifications and technical regulations in terms of chemical, microbial, physical, labeling information or banning.

103  shipments of imported foods were rejected during Ramadan, weighing 1,137 ton, representing 0.24% of the released shipments , i.e.,37,971 shipments weighing 460,678 ton.

Rice topped the list of violating foods detected by SFDA inspectors at the points of entry during Ramadan, totaling (676,660 kg), second to Rice of violating foods list was meat and poultry (108,532 kg), then coffee and tea concentrates (77,176 kg), then milk products (76,296 kg), then coffee and tea (70,455 kg), then processed meat (47,778 kg), then plants concentrates and juices (25,345 kg), then shelled fruits (25,000 kg), then pasta (18,156 kg), then vegetables and processed or preserved fruits (4,928 kg), then sugar (3,586 kg), then whole grains (3,181 kg), then wheat flour (164 kg), then Oils and Fats(48 kg), then sugar products containing coco (45 kg), then fish and sea food (18 kg).

Food products with microbial violations weighed 32,040 kg and those with chemical violations weighed 120,643 kg while food products with physical violations weighed 624,411 kg, foods with labeling violations weighed 340,319 kg, banned substances ( processed meat, coffee and tea concentrates and other food stuff) weighed 19,955 kg.  

The enhancement of SFDA’s processes has much contributed to facilitation of the procedures and increasing the efficiency of control of imported food at the points of entry, particularly with the enforcement of the electronic clearance system in 1435H at all points of entry, where clearance of all shipments was only allowed through the electronic systems. This made it easy to obtain information about the products, their importers and tracking of same in case of recalling or consumer safety issues. The electronic Black Listing system, launched in 1435H also plays a critical role in tightening control on imported food. 

  SFDA’s processes development was recently crowned by the approval of the Council of Ministers’ of  Food Regulations that authorizes SFDA to issue food standard specifications and technical rules and link release of imported food to SFDA’s approval according to its approved conditions, requirements and procedures.

 SFDA’s imported food inspectors audit and verify food certifications and documents attached to the shipments to confirm their completeness (documents verification) and check all shipment items against such documents (to check product I.D), conduct field visits to containers for physical check to confirm compliance of all food items with the technical rules and standard specifications in addition to referral of suspected items to the laboratory for analysis.

 Shipments may be rejected at any stage of the inspection process. Permission will be granted to release all items that are free of any comments or deviations and will be  referred to customs on the same day, for clearance.