Up to SR10m penalty for bad food sale

A new fining system set up by Jeddah's municipality to uncover health and hygiene violations has been endorsed.
It rewards whistle blowers with up to 25 percent of the amount fined to restaurants and food facilities. The rewards could reach up to SR2.5 million if the facility used tainted food or any substances that could compromise the consumers’ health. In such cases, the fine would also increase to up to SR10 million.
This plan stipulates that any establishment found violating the regulations would be fined over SR1 million. The fine will also include the closure of the premises for a period of at least 180 days, with the establishment's license revoked for one year.
The new campaign is also targeting imported food, which is forbidden to enter the Kingdom until it has met all prescribed conditions.
Moreover, any edibles that are found misleading consumers about Shariah would attract a hefty fine, municipality sources said. Edibles must be evaluated by authorities concerned before they hit the market.
Health officials evaluate any impending danger to human health while carrying out inspections both in food establishments or factory products before they hit the supermarket shelves. If unsavory food or cooking methods are caught, inspectors would seize the evidence and order an immediate shutdown of the establishment.