The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is actively preparing for the upcoming Hajj season. As part of these preparations, the SFDA has already carried out over 300 field inspection visits to food factories operating in the Makkah and Al Madinah regions.

These visits revealed a range of compliance levels among the inspected facilities. While many factories showed strong adherence to the SFDA's regulations and standards, several others were found to be in violation of technical requirements and regulations, leading to seizures and subsequent disciplinary legal measures.

The SFDA's campaigns also focus on raising awareness and education. They actively work to inform factory operators about crucial manufacturing requirements and best practices, thereby fostering greater adherence to health regulations.

In another aspect of its efforts to enhance compliance, the Authority encourages factories and establishments to join its "Self-Assessment" initiative. This program enables them to proactively monitor and rectify any internal non-compliance issues before official inspection visits, ultimately enhancing self-regulation and avoiding violations and fines.

The "Self-Assessment" initiative is a key component of the SFDA's strategy to elevate safety and quality standards and ensure the preparedness of establishments for the Hajj season, which positively impacts the health and safety of pilgrims.

These comprehensive efforts are integral to a broader plan aimed at delivering superior regulatory services during Hajj, reinforcing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in crowd management.