As part of its ongoing efforts to promote compliance with health requirements and protect public health, the Jeddah Governorate Secretariat the implementation of a large-scale field campaign in the eastern part of the governorate, which resulted in the destruction of huge quantities of meat unfit for human consumption and the closure of a number of sites that were being run haphazardly and in violation of regulations.
Details of seizures and closure of violating sites
The municipality announced that its inspection teams seized and destroyed approximately 4,550 kilograms of spoiled and unidentified meat and sheep heads. Yasser bin Siraj Bakhsh, Director General of the General Department for Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena, explained that the meat showed signs of spoilage and decay, posing a serious threat to consumer health.
The campaign was not limited to meat alone, but also included monitoring various violations in four random locations, where the following were seized:
- 200 liters of perfume of unknown origin and ingredients.
- 13 freezers were being used to store food in unsanitary ways.
- 47 packs of tobacco that do not bear tax stamps and do not conform to specifications.
- Equipment for manufacturing home furniture inside an unlicensed location.
These sites were immediately closed due to their lack of basic safety requirements, the absence of proper electricity meters, and the employment of workers who violated residency and labor regulations.
Integrating government efforts to protect the consumer
This successful operation is the result of collaboration between several government sectors. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority participated in the campaign, confiscating the non-compliant tobacco products, while the Saudi Food and Drug Authority monitored the seized poultry feed. Security and logistical support was provided by the Civil Defense and the Umm Al Salam sub-municipality.
In a humanitarian and community gesture, usable food items that were seized at one of the sites (the load of two trucks) were directed and delivered to the "Sustainability" Food Preservation Association, to ensure that they would be used instead of being destroyed.
The importance of municipal oversight and its impact on public health
These campaigns are of paramount importance in maintaining food and environmental security in Jeddah. From a health perspective, the trade in meat of unknown origin is a major cause of food poisoning and the spread of foodborne illnesses. The municipality regularly conducts inspections of informal settlements and hidden warehouses, which are often breeding grounds for illegal business practices (commercial concealment) and commercial fraud.
These efforts fall within the Jeddah Municipality’s strategy to improve the urban landscape, raise the quality of life, ensure access to safe food products for citizens and residents, and combat negative phenomena that distort the civilized image of the city.
Call for cooperation and reporting
The Jeddah Municipality reiterated its call to all residents, both citizens and expatriates, to contribute to these monitoring efforts, emphasizing that community awareness is the first line of defense. The municipality urged everyone to immediately report any municipal or health violations through official channels, whether via the "Baladi" smartphone application or by contacting the unified reporting center (940), to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all.
