;

Saudi Shuts Nearly 1,000 Eateries Over Health Violations

The violations? Everything from unsafe food handling and lack of hygiene certificates to businesses operating without licenses.

  • Publish date: Saturday، 05 July 2025 Reading time: 1 min read
Saudi Shuts Nearly 1,000 Eateries Over Health Violations

In a bold move to protect public health, Saudi Arabia has shut down 996 food establishments across the Kingdom, following a large-scale inspection campaign by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) between April and May 2025.

The crackdown came after 5,912 surprise inspections were conducted across 4,307 food businesses, from small eateries to large food producers. The violations? Everything from unsafe food handling and lack of hygiene certificates to businesses operating without licenses.

One particularly alarming case saw a venue using raw ingredients of unknown origin, hiring staff with no valid health checks, and failing to prevent cross-contamination in food prep areas. That business was swiftly shut and referred for legal action.

The SFDA didn’t just stop at closures—it also paused production lines at 127 facilities and confiscated over 1,750 types of non-compliant food items, sending a strong message: Saudi Arabia isn’t playing when it comes to consumer safety.

The goal isn’t just inspections—it’s real accountability, the SFDA said, emphasizing the authority’s ongoing efforts to enforce food safety laws and boost confidence in the Kingdom’s food system.

Whether you're grabbing shawarma or stocking up at the supermarket, this is a solid reminder that your safety is front and center in Saudi’s vision for public health.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel for latest news