Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced specific regulations and requirements for the packaging and labeling of fruits and vegetables meant to be sold in public markets. This is part of ensuring the quality and safety of food products during handling and distribution.

The ministry urged investors and producers to adhere to the regulations and requirements so as to ensure quality and safety in the handling of agricultural products. This comes as part of the ministry's commitment to public health and safety, as well as environmental protection, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The regulations include requirements for agricultural product labels and plastic and cardboard packaging. The ministry emphasized the importance of ensuring that each retail unit of packaged produce includes an agricultural product label, which must contain the product name, net weight, packaging date, country of origin, and details of supplier or producer such as agricultural registration number, name, and logo.

The regulations for the design of plastic and cardboard packaging for agricultural products include that the packaging be made of food-grade materials that are durable and recyclable, and allow sufficient air circulation. For cardboard packaging, the regulations stipulate that it must be made of corrugated cardboard. To withstand storage pressure, the packaging must have a separate or attached lid made of the same material.

Cardboard boxes used for packaging on pallets must also 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 a moisture-resistant material, provided that this does not negatively affect the fruit.