JEDDAH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) suspended production lines at 66 plants producing bottled water and ice across the Kingdom for various irregularities over the past 16 months, mainly for health, building and other problems.
There 750 inspections, taking place every three months.
The irregularities included safety and hygiene violations, according to a report in a local publication on Monday. Fines were imposed, with the plants allowed to resume production after correcting the problems.
Some of the plants did not have proper openings in the walls and ceilings, special entrances for workers, poor ventilation and lighting, improper or lack of asphalting of roads and courtyards surrounding the plant, and poor hygiene.
There are 201 plants in the Kingdom producing bottled water and ice cubes, including 58 in Riyadh, 36 in Makkah, 41 in the Eastern Province, five in Tabuk, five in Jazan, 10 in Madinah, eight in Jouf, 12 in Asir, 15 in Qasim, six in Hail, three in Baha and two in Najran.
The inspectors take samples of all products at these plants, which are then tested at the SFDA’s laboratories to see whether they are suitable for human consumption.
There 750 inspections, taking place every three months.
The irregularities included safety and hygiene violations, according to a report in a local publication on Monday. Fines were imposed, with the plants allowed to resume production after correcting the problems.
Some of the plants did not have proper openings in the walls and ceilings, special entrances for workers, poor ventilation and lighting, improper or lack of asphalting of roads and courtyards surrounding the plant, and poor hygiene.
There are 201 plants in the Kingdom producing bottled water and ice cubes, including 58 in Riyadh, 36 in Makkah, 41 in the Eastern Province, five in Tabuk, five in Jazan, 10 in Madinah, eight in Jouf, 12 in Asir, 15 in Qasim, six in Hail, three in Baha and two in Najran.
The inspectors take samples of all products at these plants, which are then tested at the SFDA’s laboratories to see whether they are suitable for human consumption.
