DUBAI // Environmental authorities are tightening controls on imports of Egyptian frozen strawberries following a hepatitis A outbreak in the US.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Saturday that it would take measures to avoid the entry of any contaminated products posing a risk to UAE consumers.
The US Food and Drug Administration had said on Friday that 119 people in eight states were diagnosed with hepatitis A, and most had consumed smoothies with frozen strawberries imported from Egypt.
The ministry’s statement came after the outbreak news circulated on social media, saying that Egyptian products contained contaminants such as formalin, salts and additives.
The ministry said it is testing vegetables and fruits for contaminants and heavy metals, but dismissed the information on social media, saying the US had not reported such contaminants.
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