New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a total ban on poultry and egg imports from 40 countries. The Kingdom has also announced a partial ban covering specific provinces and cities in 16 other countries.

These restrictions are part of the authority's precautionary measures to safeguard public health and strengthen food safety standards in the local market, Saudi Gazette reported. The SFDA said the list remains subject to periodic review in response to global health developments.

Some countries have been under ban in Saudi Arabia since 2004, while others have been added progressively over the years based on risk assessments and international reports concerning animal diseases, most notably outbreaks of...