RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) claimed it had received unspecified threats due to the authority's decision to close down several water plants for major violations, said Ibrahim Al-Mehazea, SFDA Deputy President of Food Affairs. Without going into details, Al-Mehazea told Al-Watan Arabic daily that the SFDA “faced tremendous pressure” from several water plants when it discovered the violations. He said when the authority fully expands, it will be able to further tighten control over the food sector whose turnover is estimated at SR90 billion a year. Al-Mehazea said the SFDA has two committees in Jeddah and Riyadh respectively. “Each committee is comprised of the members of the respective governorate, mayoralty and SFDA. It is tasked with conducting inspections of food factories and periodic reports are sent to the Emir of Riyadh and Makkah on the committees' activities.” — SG
