The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has announced new regulations governing the packaging and labeling of fruits and vegetables sold in public markets. The measures are intended to ensure the quality and safety of food products during handling and distribution.
The ministry urged investors and producers to comply with the rules, citing their role in maintaining product quality and safety in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 framework.
According to the announcement, every retail unit of packaged produce must carry a label. The label should include the product name, net weight, packaging date, country of origin, and details of the supplier or producer, such as agricultural registration number, name, and logo.
The regulations also define requirements for both plastic and cardboard packaging. Packaging must be made of food-grade materials that are durable, recyclable, and allow sufficient air circulation. For cardboard packaging, the material must be corrugated. Each box must have a separate or attached lid made of the same material to withstand storage pressure.
Cardboard boxes used for palletized packaging must be covered on the outside to prevent contamination during storage or transport. The inner surfaces of the boxes may be lined, coated, or treated with moisture-resistant material, provided that this does not affect the fruit negatively.
The ministry stated that the measures apply to packaging and labeling of agricultural products distributed in public markets, and are intended to support food safety standards and environmental protection.
Source: Saudi Gazette