Saudi Arabia shuts cosmetics facility after uncovering illegal operations and also suspends a European pharmaceutical manufacturer over serious safety breaches. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) recently made this announcement as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure public health and product safety.
The SFDA has intensified its regulatory checks in 2025 to protect consumers from potentially dangerous health and beauty products. During its latest inspection drive, it discovered an illegal cosmetics manufacturing site operating without licenses. In a separate action, it also suspended the operations of a licensed European pharmaceutical plant due to severe non-compliance with safety protocols.
Illegal Cosmetics Facility Busted in Riyadh
The SFDA confirmed that an unregistered cosmetics production unit was operating unlawfully in the city of Riyadh. Authorities raided the site following reports of unauthorized manufacturing. The inspection team found that the facility was not approved by the regulatory body and had failed to meet the minimum hygiene, safety, and quality control standards.
This unlicensed facility had been producing beauty and skincare products intended for sale in local markets. The SFDA reported that many of these products lacked proper labeling, batch numbers, or ingredient transparency. Some items even contained unapproved substances that could pose serious health risks to users.
All seized products were destroyed immediately, and legal action has been initiated against the operators of the site. The authority stressed that manufacturing or distributing cosmetics without meeting safety criteria is a punishable offense.
This incident has triggered nationwide checks on similar cosmetic factories to ensure full regulatory compliance. The SFDA reminded all manufacturers that they must be registered and licensed and must meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
European Pharma Factory Suspended for Violations
In a related but separate enforcement, Saudi Arabia has also suspended the operations of a well-known European pharmaceutical factory that exports medicines to the Kingdom. According to the SFDA, this plant was found guilty of violating Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which are global standards ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical production.
The authority’s international inspection team, during a scheduled visit, noted multiple breaches, including:
- Poor sanitation and hygiene within the production areas
- Inadequate documentation and quality control processes
- Failure to maintain temperature-controlled storage
- Use of expired ingredients in trial batches
Due to the severity of these violations, the factory’s export license has been temporarily revoked. All incoming shipments from the manufacturer have been halted until a thorough review and correction of deficiencies are completed.
The SFDA clarified that the action was necessary to protect public health and preserve trust in pharmaceutical imports. This also sends a strong message that all international companies exporting drugs to Saudi Arabia must follow strict compliance rules.
Consumer Health at the Core of Action
The SFDA emphasised that both actions Saudi Arabia shuts cosmetics facility and pharmaceutical factory suspension stem from the same mission: to ensure the safety of consumers. Cosmetics and medicines are directly used by people every day, so any compromise in safety can lead to serious health consequences.
These enforcement steps show that the Saudi government is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against violators. The crackdown is part of a larger campaign to enhance product safety and transparency in the healthcare and beauty sectors.
The SFDA also stated that surprise inspections and lab testing of products will continue nationwide. Facilities that do not meet legal standards will face strict penalties, including suspension of operations and legal prosecution.
Public Response and Industry Impact
Following the SFDA announcement, many Saudi citizens praised the move on social media platforms. Consumers expressed relief that authorities are actively removing unsafe products from the market.
However, industry insiders expect a short-term disruption in supply, especially in the cosmetic segment. Retailers and distributors have been advised to review their inventory and ensure that all products are sourced from approved and licensed manufacturers.
At the same time, local producers are being encouraged to enhance their quality checks and ensure that all staff are trained on safety and hygiene protocols. The SFDA is offering support to compliant businesses through training sessions, compliance guidelines, and technical support.
How to Stay Safe as a Consumer
To avoid harmful products, the SFDA advises consumers to follow these simple steps:
- Always buy cosmetics and medicines from licensed outlets
- Check for batch numbers and manufacturing details on packaging
- Report any suspicious or unlabelled products to the SFDA hotline
- Download the SFDA app to verify product registration
These steps can help consumers protect themselves from substandard or dangerous products circulating in the market.
What’s Next?
Saudi Arabia shuts cosmetics facility and stops pharmaceutical imports in this dual action aimed at raising quality standards. The SFDA will continue to increase scrutiny over both local and international manufacturers. These moves are part of Vision 2030, which includes strengthening the country’s healthcare and consumer protection systems.
The SFDA urges all manufacturers, importers, and distributors to treat this as a wake-up call and double down on quality, safety, and legal compliance.
Final Note:
These latest steps show that the SFDA is determined to ensure that only safe, effective, and quality-assured products reach Saudi consumers. Whether it is cosmetics or medicine, any failure to comply with safety standards will not be tolerated. With these strict actions, Saudi Arabia sets an example of how regulatory authorities should protect public health and build trust in national systems.
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