Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Voluntary product recalls by food establishments do not relieve companies of their legal responsibilities should their products cause harm, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has confirmed.

In a statement on Sunday, SFDA said voluntary recalls, while conducted proactively by companies under regulatory supervision to ensure consumer safety, do not negate potential liability in accordance with the Kingdom’s laws and regulations.

The SFDA added that voluntary recalls demonstrate an establishment’s compliance with food safety regulations and commitment to consumer protection. Such recalls typically occur due to concerns like product contamination, incorrect labeling, packaging defects, or manufacturing faults that could pose risks to public health or compromise product safety.

The SFDA oversees recall procedures after being notified by companies. It requires detailed reports explaining the reasons for the recall, the scope of affected products in the market, and corrective actions taken by the establishments to ensure compliance and prevent future occurrences.

If necessary, the SFDA will issue official public warnings, clearly identifying the recalled products and highlighting the proactive steps taken by the establishments involved to remove unsafe products from the market.