Asir Agriculture Department seizes 594 kg of spoiled fish in Abha and Khamis Mushait

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and protect consumers from health risks, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Asir region carried out an intensive monitoring campaign that yielded important results reflecting the vigilance of regulatory authorities in the Kingdom.

Details of the seizure in Abha and Khamis Mushait

The Ministry's branch in the Asir region, represented by the Fisheries Committee, successfully seized a large quantity of fish unfit for human consumption, amounting to 594 kilograms . This successful operation was the result of field inspection tours conducted over the past two days, targeting fish markets and shops in the governorates of Khamis Mushait and Abha . Relevant government agencies participated in this campaign to ensure coordinated efforts and strict enforcement of regulations.

The branch explained that the seized items were dealt with immediately and destroyed in accordance with the established health procedures, in addition to applying the legal fines against the violators, and closing a number of commercial establishments that were found to be negligent in applying the health requirements, based on the regulations and systems adopted in the Kingdom.

The importance of monitoring marine products

These campaigns are of paramount importance given the sensitivity of seafood products and their rapid spoilage. Spoiled fish provides a breeding ground for bacteria and the release of toxins such as histamine, which can lead to severe food poisoning in consumers. These efforts are part of the Ministry's strategy to enhance food security and raise quality standards in local markets, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of improving quality of life and safeguarding public health.

The role of the ministry and the consumer in food safety

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's responsibilities extend beyond enforcement to include awareness campaigns and preventative monitoring. The Ministry consistently emphasizes the need for vendors to adhere to standards for proper fish storage, refrigeration, and transportation.

In this context, experts advise consumers to pay attention to signs of fish spoilage before purchasing, which include:

• The fish smells bad or pungent (ammonia smell).
• The color of the gills has faded and turned dark brown instead of pinkish-red.
• The eyes became sunken and lost their sparkle.
• The fish's body is soft and the flesh does not return to its normal position when pressed with a finger.

The regulatory authorities call on all citizens and residents to cooperate and report any health violations or suspected cases of food corruption through the available official channels, so that they may be active partners in maintaining the safety of society.