RIYADH: Tons of foodstuffs produced from unauthorized factories were confiscated during the first three weeks of Ramadan, with the owners booked for producing unhygienic foods that could damage human health.
Following a tip-off given by a member of the public, the Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MCI) in coordination with the Civil Defense in Jeddah raided an unlicensed factory that was producing food on a large scale to cater to consumers during the holy month.
Inspectors seized more than 2.7 tons of kunafa ready for sale, 225 assorted sweet dishes, and at least 66,000 sambousa, according to an MCI official.
“All the damaged food items that were not fit for human consumption were confiscated and destroyed in accordance with the applied regulations and the owner of the site has been summoned by the MCI to initiate the necessary legal procedures,” the official said, adding that the ministry wants to ensure only safe goods are available in the market.
“The inspection yielded good results with seizure and confiscation of large quantities of spoilt food and consumer items, which are re-stored and distributed in the markets to deceive the consumers.”
The official said the MCI has been conducting many inspection tours in different parts of the Kingdom to check the quality of the foodstuffs available in retail outlets during Ramadan.
The MCI confirmed the continuation of its inspection rounds — which cover warehouses and all commercial institutions — to help eradicate the supply of counterfeit and substandard products in the market.
The ministry has called on all consumers to cooperate and to lodge their complaints and observations to the MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or by submitting a report via their smart phones.
Tons of unhygienic foods seized during Ramadan
Tons of unhygienic foods seized during Ramadan
Deals worth $8bn signed at World Defense Show 2026
- Five-day event brought together 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries and attracted 137,000 visitors
RIYADH: More than 60 military and defense deals worth SR33 billion ($8.8 billion) were signed at the third edition of the World Defense Show, which ended on Thursday in Riyadh.
The flagship defense exhibition is part of Saudi efforts to expand its military industries sector.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, the five-day event brought together 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries and attracted 137,000 visitors, according to official figures announced at the closing media briefing on Thursday.
Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, said the event reflects broader efforts to localize defense spending under Vision 2030.
“When we started in 2018, the percentage of military spending from within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was 4 percent of total spending; by the end of 2024, it jumped to 25 percent,” he said.
Al-Ohali added that number of national cadres working in the sector increased from 25,000 male and female employees in 2020 to 34,000 — a rise of 40 percent.
Beyond attendance and displays, the exhibition served as a venue for commercial and government agreements.
The number of agreements signed reached 220, including 93 government-to-government agreements and 127 partnership agreements with companies.
Al-Ohali said the deals include technology transfer and local manufacturing projects aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains.
Aerial and static displays included 63 aircraft, alongside more than 700 pieces of military equipment exhibited across indoor and outdoor platforms. Maritime and unmanned systems were also showcased through dedicated demonstration areas.
Andrew Pearcey, CEO of the World Defense Show, said that planning for the next edition had already begun.
“So, what we do is we take stock of our successes, so we’re now starting to see what worked, and we also learned that some things that didn’t work,” Pearcey told Arab News.
“Over time, one of the key things is to try and grow; the demand for this show is huge, so we want to try and accommodate that.
“So, we need to try and build more space. Then we look at ways we brought new features to this show. So, we look at the industry and the trends, and see other new features that we can bring to the show.”
The event also introduced a “Future Talent Program” during its final two days, inviting students aged 16 to university level to explore career opportunities in the defense sector.
“The future talent program is where we invite youngsters, so from 16 up to university level, to come and look at the show, understand what career opportunities there are in the defense industry, sit and do some content programs, and meet the exhibitors that want to demonstrate some of their things,” Pearcey said.
“So, we bring around 4,000 to 5,000 students to the show. So, that’s bringing that next generation through.”
