Riyadh Shuts Shops Over Hygiene and Safety Violations — Expats' Guide

The Riyadh Mayoralty has discovered 26 public-health violations during recent inspection tours of several soft-drink and food shops across the capital. Two establishments were ordered closed after inspectors found serious breaches that posed an immediate risk to customers. The sweep was conducted in cooperation with relevant government agencies and supported by reports from residents via the Madinaty app.

For the large and growing expat community in Riyadh, this enforcement campaign is a useful reminder about food safety standards, consumer rights and what both customers and business owners should expect when it comes to hygiene and municipal rules.

What inspectors found

The Riyadh Mayoralty reported a range of violations that together constituted 26 separate public-health and safety infractions. The most serious problems included:

• Poor hygiene in sales and preparation areas, including dirty surfaces and unwashed equipment.
• Workers without valid health certificates — a legal requirement for food handlers.
• Unsafe food storage and handling that could lead to contamination.
• Use or display of spoiled meat and unfit food items.
• Employees with inadequate personal hygiene or an unhealthy appearance.

Inspectors also cited additional issues, such as the presence of live or dead pests, absence of suitable waste containers, missing food labels, poor ventilation and lighting, cracked floors and walls, water leaks from equipment, and the use of non-compliant tools and utensils. Authorities also flagged violations related to tobacco display and shops operating without valid business licenses or reopening before the official end of a closure period.

Government response and penalties

The Riyadh Mayoralty has applied a range of enforcement measures depending on the severity of the breaches: warnings and official notices, fines, temporary closures, and immediate shutdowns for businesses that pose a direct threat to public health. Authorities have underscored that monitoring will continue and urged residents to keep reporting violations through official channels like the Madinaty app.

These actions are in line with national food-safety rules overseen by agencies such as the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), as well as local municipal regulations. For official guidance on municipal services, the Riyadh Mayoralty website is a useful resource: riyadh.gov.sa.

What this means for expat consumers

As an expat living in Riyadh you should feel empowered to expect basic hygiene and safety when buying food or drinks. Here are practical steps to protect yourself and your family:

• Look for visible hygiene indicators: staff wearing clean uniforms, hair coverings, gloves (when appropriate) and a tidy preparation area.
• Check that displayed products have proper labels showing ingredients and expiry dates. Missing labels are a red flag.
• Avoid outlets with obvious pest activity, foul smells, spoiled foods or poor temperature control in refrigeration units.
• Ask to see the shop’s business license or evidence of recent inspection if you have concerns. Licensed outlets should be willing to show basic compliance information.
• Report violations immediately using the official Madinaty app or municipal hotlines — public reporting played a direct role in guiding these inspections.
• For medical concerns following a suspected foodborne illness, contact the Ministry of Health or seek medical attention at your nearest clinic.

Advice for expat business owners and managers

If you run or manage a food outlet in Riyadh, compliance isn’t optional — it’s essential for customer safety and business continuity. Key steps to meet regulatory expectations:

• Ensure every food handler has an up-to-date health certificate as required by law. Confirm the process and renewal requirements with the Ministry of Health or local municipal office.
• Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all preparation areas and equipment. Keep records of cleaning, pest control visits and equipment servicing.
• Train staff in basic food-safety practices — hand hygiene, temperature control, cross-contamination prevention and safe storage.
• Maintain accurate product labeling, ensure proper storage temperatures and repair any structural faults (cracks, leaks, ventilation problems) that compromise hygiene.
• Ensure adequate waste management systems and appropriate containers are in place and emptied regularly.
• Display relevant licenses and certificates prominently to reassure customers and inspectors.
• Work with accredited pest-control and equipment-service providers, and keep proof of service on site for inspections.

For official food-safety rules and technical guidance consider resources from the SFDA or consult municipal guidelines at momra.gov.sa (Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs).

How to report problems and follow up

The public’s role in reporting concerns was highlighted in this campaign. Residents are encouraged to continue using official platforms to report hygiene and safety issues. The Madinaty app (available through the Riyadh Mayoralty) is designed for submitting local complaints and tracking municipal responses — it played a key role in guiding the recent inspections.

Useful links:

• Riyadh Mayoralty and Madinaty information: riyadh.gov.sa
• Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) food safety guidance: sfda.gov.sa
• Ministry of Health (health certificates and public-health advice): moh.gov.sa
• Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs: momra.gov.sa

Final thoughts for expats

Riyadh’s recent closures and fines are part of a broader push to raise food-safety and hygiene standards across Saudi Arabia. For expats, the practical takeaway is simple: be observant, report unsafe practices, and when in doubt choose venues that display clear licenses and follow visible hygiene measures. For business owners, proactive compliance reduces risk, builds customer trust and helps avoid costly enforcement actions.

Authorities have pledged continued inspections and enforcement. By staying informed and using official reporting tools, expat residents can help maintain a safer food environment in Riyadh.