In a move aimed at strengthening the food security system and ensuring the safety of marine products, the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah region organized a qualitative workshop, which witnessed a strategic alliance with prominent international and local entities, most notably the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the General Authority for Food and Drug.
This initiative comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing significant activity in its fisheries sector, a key pillar of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for achieving self-sufficiency and diversifying income sources. These developments are of paramount importance given the ongoing expansion of aquaculture projects, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks to keep pace with this rapid growth, ensure resource sustainability, and protect the reputation of Saudi products.
International mechanisms for detecting manipulation
The workshop focused primarily on tightening control over fish markets and uncovering sophisticated methods of commercial manipulation. Participating experts reviewed the international standards adopted by the FAO for determining the quality and freshness of fish, enabling field inspectors to accurately distinguish between safe products and those that do not meet health requirements or have been adulterated to conceal defects.
The importance of these measures extends beyond regulatory aspects to encompass crucial economic and health dimensions. Economically, eliminating commercial fraud contributes to creating a fair competitive environment that protects compliant traders and enhances consumer confidence in local markets. From a health perspective, ensuring the availability of safe fish on Saudi tables reduces the health risks associated with consuming spoiled food, aligning with the objectives of the Quality of Life Program.
Partnership to unify oversight efforts
Experts, in collaboration with the Saudi Aquaculture Society, discussed the latest tactics employed by some violators in the supply chain and methods for countering them both technically and on the ground. The regulations governing public markets were also reviewed, with a focus on the role of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in monitoring products from their source to the consumer and ensuring the existence of valid certificates proving the origin and quality of farmed fish.
For his part, Engineer Waleed Al-Daghis, Director General of the Ministry's branch in the Makkah region, affirmed that these efforts reflect the Ministry's ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency of its regulatory staff and updating their knowledge with the latest global practices. He pointed out that the ultimate goal is to achieve operational efficiency in the markets and support the Kingdom's food security sustainability objectives, ensuring the availability of food products that meet the highest international health and safety standards.
