Dubai - Mubasher: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)said it issued a circular to specialised local authorities to tighten control procedures on frozen strawberries imported from Egypt in order to avoid the entry of any contaminated products that pose a risk to consumers in the country, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Through coordination with specialized authorities in the UAE, MOCCAE reaffirms that all imported and traded products undergo a strict control system in accordance with the best international practices at all stages of the food chain - including conducting of laboratory tests as per the risk assessment system, and an early notification system of foods that pose a risk to consumers’ health.
MOCCAE pointed out that it did not receive any regional or international notifications about the Egyptian products mentioned in reports circulated on social media platforms.
MOCCAE affirmed that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and health authorities in the UAE to monitor any case of hepatitis caused by eating contaminated food.
Earlier, an official report issued by the Food and Drug Administration's FDA stated that 119 people diagnosed with Hepatitis A have been reported in eight US states. An epidemiological monitoring team from several US government agencies were informed to investigate and determine the causes of the outbreak, it added.
The preliminary results indicated that most of the cases that have been recorded had consumed smoothies containing frozen strawberries imported from Egypt at well-known cafes across the USA.
