MAKKAH —Inspection teams of the Ministry of Commerce and Investment have uncovered about 15 million products that did not meet Saudi standards and specifications during field visits to shops and commercial establishments in 2018, according to a report in the Arabic daily Makkah on Saturday. The inspectors carried out raids against 39,500 shops and establishments during which they discovered the violating products consisting of expired foodstuffs, fake beauty accessories and artificial goods, among other violations. The ministry's sources said the inspection tours were aimed at making sure that these shops and establishments were committed to consumer protection regulations. Non-compliance with the regulations is a gross violation, which is punishable by a fine of SR1 million, three years' imprisonment or the two punishments together, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry's branch in Makkah has referred 1,056 cases concerning the violations of consumer protection principles to the special courts. The ministry asked citizens and expatriates to inform about any suspected violations through its toll free number 1900 or through its electronic app or the official website.
