The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) will launch an investigation into the delay of some of its laboratories in completinig tests on food products coming into the country. This follows complaints from a number of businessmen and importers that their perishable products expire while the tests are still being done. They say they are losing money because they do not have enough time to sell certain products and are forced to raise prices to make up for their losses. Currently, SFDA laboratories take two months or more to conduct a food test, which reduces the expiry period for some products, said Dr. Muhammad Bin Ahmed Al-Kanhal, CEO of SFDA. Consultant Ibrahim Al-Aqili, chairman of the committee of customs clearing agents at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCCI), said: “The SFDA laboratories take a long time to report the results of food sample tests. It's difficult to contact SFDA staff to enquire about the results.” However, senior SFDA officials said that the SFDA responds quickly to emails sent through its website. Al-Kanhal said he would personally investigate the causes of the delays and pointed out that he made field visits to SFDA laboratories at various seaports. Al-Kanhal said he was briefed on a food samples testing laboratory which will be constructed to enhance food safety and conduct tests in a short time. __
