Saudi SFDA warns of up to 10-year jail, $2.66mln in fine for violations

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) warned that violators of its regulations with regard to ensuring safety of food, fodders, medicine and medical equipment will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and fines amounting to SR10 million.

If any establishment was found dealing in adulterated food they will be slapped with fines ranging from SR100,000 to SR1million. In the event of intentionality repeating the crime, the penalty will be imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or a fine not exceeding SR10 million or both, according to article 16 of the Food Law, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority said that article 15/2 of the Fodder Law stipulates that the penalty for any establishment that uses fodder, which contains toxic substances or materials that cause harm to animal health or public health, will face fines starting from SR200,000 and that may reach SR1 million, in addition to destruction of the fodder.

With regard to advertising a cosmetic product that is not listed or violates the controls and conditions of advertising, SFDA stated that anyone who does so will be slapped with a fine of up to SR5 million, according to article 21 of the Cosmetic Products Law.

The authority said that article 4 of the Veterinary Cosmetics Law includes imposing a financial penalty on anyone, who is involved in transactions of veterinary cosmetics without obtaining a license, with a fine of up to SR5 million. Anyone who provides incorrect or wrong data with the aim of obtaining registration for a firm or license for a product will also be punished.

The penalties include either temporary suspension of the establishment’s license; revoking the license; withdrawing the product and stopping its circulation; canceling the marketing authorization certificate or referring the case to the Public Prosecution to apply the penal law for forgery crimes, in accordance with article 30 of the Medical Equipment and Products Control Regulation.

SFDA stressed the importance of adhering to the laws and regulations aimed at preserving the safety of citizens and expatriates. The authority regulates, monitors and supervises food, medicine and medical and diagnostic devices and sets mandatory standard specifications for them, whether they are imported or locally manufactured.

It is also responsible for monitoring and examining them in their laboratories or the laboratories of other parties and educating the consumer in everything related to food, medicine, medical instruments and all associated products and cosmetics as well as electronic products that affect human health.