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RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Thursday warned consumers not to eat chicken Frankfurt sausages manufactured in the Kingdom by the Altarouti brand, after factory inspections revealed they were contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the authority said: “The affected product is packaged in 12-piece packs, with an expiration date of 05/04/2026 and batch number (L2216.ZCN.F).

“Laboratory tests conducted by the SFDA confirmed the product is contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can pose a health risk to consumers.”

The authority advised the public not to consume the product and to dispose of it immediately. It said action has been taken to withdraw it from stores and halt the factory’s production lines. In addition, it is taking legal action against the manufacturer, and noted that violations of the food safety laws and regulations can result in penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of SR10 million ($2.7 million) or both.

The contamination was discovered during inspections of food factories, which the authority said it carries out to ensure food safety, deter violations and prevent the use of products that might pose a risk to consumers.

Officials from the authority told Arab News: “The health and safety of citizens and residents in �������� are our top priority.

“Our inspection and monitoring programs are designed to proactively identify and address potential risks. This is a core part of our strategy to ensure that all products, whether locally manufactured or imported, comply with national regulations and international standards.”

The authority said it will not tolerate any food-safety violations that might threaten the health of citizens and residents, and continues to enhance safety standards and take action against anyone found to be violating them.

It encouraged members of the public to report any food-related concerns by contacting the SFDA call center on 19999.

RIYADH: The Global Infrastructure Expo shed light on various major projects in the Kingdom this week in Riyadh, highlighting examples of smart cities while emphasizing the importance of building solid infrastructure for them.

Among the subjects local experts discussed were the urgency of addressing contaminated groundwater, and eliminating its root causes and mitigating its negative effects in Riyadh.

Faris Saad Almukati, water planning director at Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center, discussed groundwater management, and said: “(Some) 39 percent of the sources of groundwater issues in Riyadh come from wastewater, 38 percent from water network leaks, 14 percent from over irrigation, and 9 percent from stormwater.”

Al-Narjis, Al-Arid, and Twaeeq neighborhoods are among the most-affected areas in Riyadh.

Almukati told Arab News: “Groundwater poses a challenge to cities because it is composed of several sources that are somewhat polluted. The main sources are leaks in sewage networks, leaks in drinking water networks, and rainwater.”

He explained how a leakage threatens the development of a city because it has the potential to impact the electricity supply.

“The presence of groundwater, especially when it is close to the surface, sometimes affects electrical cables, which are a major part of the electricity supply to cities,” he added.

The polluted water from leakages or the gathering of stormwater not only impacts the connectivity of electricity, but also disadvantages construction work and the sector implementing residential work.

Almukati said: “On the roads we sometimes encounter groundwater seeps that are somewhat contaminated and not natural water, and this is where the big challenge lies.”

The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center has strategies to reduce the problem and improve the overall experience for people in the Kingdom.

Almukati said: “The center works on infrastructure projects, developing a comprehensive action plan and studying the current situation in cooperation with relevant authorities. It develops strategies, including the importance of sewage networks, rainwater drainage networks, and groundwater reduction networks.

“The importance of these projects lies in reducing the impact of groundwater. Therefore, we work closely with the relevant authorities on a plan to ensure the implementation of these projects as soon as possible and their integration to minimize the impact on the city.”

Although the contamination of surface groundwater has been a major issue for many nations around the globe, advances are being developed continuously to mitigate effects, said Almukati.

Societies are using more traditional solutions, the director said, when the utilization of technology, such as AI or other technologies, could be used to predict the issues prior to them happening.