By Staff Reporter — MUSCAT: May 13 - Muscat Municipality has destroyed 122 tonnes of imported vegetables, including potatoes, melons, sweet peppers and lettuce, during the period April to May 10. In a statement last week, the municipality said this “strong action” was taken keeping in mind the health of consumers and the food safety concerns as the pesticide residue levels were high in these products. Muscat Municipality said its team included the agencies in the central vegetable, apart from representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources and Royal Oman Police.
The statement said the team periodically obtains samples of vegetables and fruits from the Central Vegetable market and sends them to the laboratories at the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources. It follows up on results of the lab analysis. The matter will be referred to the competent authorities for legal procedures. The civic authority stressed the importance of cooperation from individuals and institutions on the matter. Authorities recently seized 25 tonnes of fish found to be unsuitable for human consumption.
The raid was conducted in the Ghala area by the municipality officials in Bausher in coordination with the authorities from the Public Authority for Consumer Protection and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The government had earlier announced it had intensified laboratory tests for all agricultural produce to ensure they meet the safety standards. “Health inspectors will periodically collect samples of vegetables and fruits and send them to the central food and water laboratories for tests,” said a statement from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources. The statement follows reports that some agricultural produce exported to a neighbouring country were found to have pesticide contents above the permissible levels.
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