The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's office in Makkah, represented by the Markets and Slaughterhouses Department, has intensified its field monitoring efforts to ensure the safety of food provided to citizens, residents, and visitors to the Grand Mosque. In its latest campaign, the office conducted a comprehensive inspection tour targeting the central fish market in the Kaakiyah area, including fish shops and restaurants specializing in frying and preparing seafood located within the market's boundaries.
The thorough inspection campaign resulted in the detection of nine violations of agricultural regulations and health requirements, in addition to the confiscation and destruction of 160 kilograms of fish that showed signs of spoilage and decay, rendering them unfit for human consumption. These measures are part of the Ministry's commitment to enforcing the highest standards of quality and food safety, and preventing the circulation of any products that may pose a risk to public health.
The importance of oversight in the Holy City
These campaigns are of paramount importance in Mecca, given its religious significance and the high volume of visitors and pilgrims throughout the year, necessitating constant vigilance from regulatory bodies to ensure markets are free of any negative practices. These efforts align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program, which prioritizes human health and environmental safety by promoting compliance with municipal and agricultural regulations.
Details of procedures and requirements
For his part, the Director of the Ministry's office in the Holy City of Mecca, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Hutairshi, explained that the inspection teams do not merely conduct a superficial examination of products, but rather carry out a comprehensive review that includes verifying the legal documentation of establishments and employees, checking the safety of tools and equipment used in preparation and cutting, and assessing the cleanliness of the preparation environment. Al-Hutairshi emphasized that the Ministry will not hesitate to apply the prescribed penalties against violators to ensure that any actions that compromise consumer health are deterred.
Cold chain and marine product safety
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture consistently emphasizes the importance of adhering to the cold chain, especially for perishable seafood. Fish requires specific storage and transportation conditions to preserve its nutritional value and protect it from bacteria. Through these inspections, the Ministry ensures the efficiency of display and storage refrigerators and their compliance with Saudi standards, guaranteeing that safe and healthy products reach consumers.
Al-Hutairshi concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of the community’s role in monitoring, calling on all citizens and residents to cooperate with the competent authorities and to immediately report any observations related to product quality or low levels of hygiene through the available official channels, in order to strengthen the principle of community partnership in preserving public health.
