The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) prevented the entry of 10.6 million kilograms of imported foodstuff to Saudi Arabia in the first six months of the current Hijri year for breach of technical and health standards.

In a statement, the SFDA said 1,218 tons of food items were rejected in Muharram, 11 3,770 tons in Safar, 1,548 tons in Rabi Awwal, 1,657 tons in Rabi Thani, 1,163 tons in Jumada-1 and 1,254 tons in Jumada-2.

Rice topped the list of rejected items at 1,504,750 kg, followed by processed vegetables and fruits (1,317,962 kg), meat and poultry (1,179,567 kg), full grains (930,527 kg), coffee and tea (929,387 kg), fish and sea food (835,676 kg), sugar (606,224 kg) and dairy products (600,031 kg), the SFDA said.