5,000 expired poultry products being sold every day in Riyadh

A recent investigation conducted by the Consumer Protection Association (CPA) has revealed that a number of stores in Riyadh are selling nearly 5,000 chickens daily that are unfit for human consumption, according to Nasser Al-Tuwaim, chief of CPA.
The CPA has recorded a wide range of violations including the selling of expired food and counterfeit produce. The seafood market registered the largest number of abuses, as inspectors found many instances of spoiled fish sold in market places.
The CPA has informed authorities in Riyadh of these violations and a plan has been established for punitive action to be taken against perpetrators of these crimes.
Meanwhile, the CPA has temporarily shut its branches due to a shortage of sufficient funds that has impeded its operations.
The association claims that the chambers of commerce and industry have not paid the required 10 percent attestation fees to the CPA.
Al-Tuwaim said all branches across the Kingdom are temporary closed. The association’s offices in Jeddah and the Eastern Province are only receiving complaints, which are forwarded to the Riyadh office for processing.
The CPA has recently won the legal case against the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, while the case against the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce is still pending.
Al-Tuwaim disclosed that the financial issues with the chambers of commerce will be resolved within six months.
He also indicated that the due amount from the different chambers of commerce now exceeds SR 50 million, which is adequate to cover all of the CPA’s plans and activities to protect consumers against commercial violations. The CPA’s present budget for this year is estimated to be SR 20 million.
The CPA launched 34 centers with various specializations, said Al-Tuwaim.