DOHA: All existing stocks of saffron and raisin (dried grapes) in the local market would soon be recalled as laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of harmful substances and additives in most samples of these products.
A senior official of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) said yesterday that the SCH had asked the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to take necessary steps to recall all the available stocks of saffron and raisin from the local market.
All the customs posts have been alerted to intensify monitoring on the new shipments of raisin and saffron and not to release any consignments before conducting laboratory tests on the samples. Saffron is an expensive spice that is used to add colour and fragrance to dishes, while raisin is commonly consumed as a dry fruit.
Laboratory tests conducted on samples of the two food products have shown that they didn't comply with the GCC standards and specifications, Dr Mohammed Al Thani, director of the Public Health Department at SCH said yesterday.
More than 77 percent of the samples of saffron were found to be containing harmful colours, creams and paints that are added to increase brightness to the product. These samples didn't comply with the GCC specifications No: GSO/3632-1/20007.
Laboratory tests also proved that 80.50 per cent of the samples of raisin contained some hydro-carbonic substances that are added to give more polish and freshness to the product. They didn't comply with the GCC specifications No: GSO/1034/2000.
The decision to recall the products was taken jointly by the SCH, the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade and the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning.
The SCH has called on all traders and importers to comply with the unified GCC standards and specifications related to the two food products.
Several traders, The Peninsula spoke to yesterday said they had not yet received any orders from the authorities to recall the products, stocks of which are currently available in the market.
A retailer said saffron was mostly imported from Iran and Spain, while raisin comes from a number of countries. Although the authentic variety of saffron is very costly, low-priced and low-quality varieties are also available in the market, it is learnt.
Raisin is also available in different varieties and the prices have more than doubled over the past few years.
© The Peninsula 2011
