Agricultural products imported from Egypt safe, says Oman ministry

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) and Food Safety and Quality Center (FSQC) assured the safety of all agricultural products imported from abroad, especially those coming from the Arab Republic of Egypt, in response to a post by a citizen who questioned the safety and quality of Egyptian crops.

 In its response to the citizen, Food Safety and Quality Center stated: "We would like to inform you that the center monitors local and imported agricultural products, and verifies the products' compliance with the approved standard specifications."

The Center added: "The center verifies the authenticity of certificates issued from abroad. These certificates are also attested by the Sultanate's embassies abroad. There was a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman that visited the Arab Republic of Egypt to see the extent of its commitment to the safety standards of exported products to the Sultanate. There is an exchange of visits and experiences between the center and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, in addition to the central laboratory for food safety, which has the latest technologies and modern devices that enable it to ensure the safety and quality of products."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said in a statement on its Twitter account:”The Ministry would like to clarify what is being circulated about information originating from the media of one of the countries that Oman has stopped taking samples of  agricultural shipment that is exported to the Sultanate, as the Ministry states that this information is incorrect and that all imports of agricultural products from all countries are subject to examination and analysis according to a food control program based on an assessment of the risk system from the competent authorities in the ministry.”

The statement continued: “The Ministry clarifies that a team from the Center for Food Safety and Quality and the Agricultural Quarantine Department visited the country at its request to find out about aspects and export regulations in it, and the team confirmed that agricultural products in the country and exported to the Sultanate of Oman come from sources registered by the concerned regulatory authorities and farms are monitored to ensure correct agricultural practices.”