Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) issued on Friday a warning regarding the use of Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the United Arab Emirates.

The 250-gram packages, with an expiry date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that poses a serious health risk to consumers, as confirmed by laboratory tests.

SFDA urged the public to avoid consuming this product and to dispose of any units they may have in their possession. The authority has taken steps to remove the contaminated product from the market and is pursuing regulatory action against the importing company.

SFDA emphasized that violations of the Food Law and its executive regulation can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to SR10 million, or both.

SFDA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of food products for all citizens and residents and will continue to take necessary actions against violators. It urged consumers to report any food safety concerns to the SFDA's unified call center at 19999.