UAE Withdraws Contaminated Processed Beef over Listeria Outbreak Concerns

Posted on Jan 18, 2025 at 07:01 PM

In cooperation with regional regulatory bodies and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the UAE has affirmed that it is actively looking into the possibility that beef pepperoni may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

In addition, arrangements are being made with the manufacturer to temporarily remove the impacted product from UAE markets until laboratory testing is finished and the incident's specifics are confirmed.

Addressing Listeria Contaminated Products 

MOCCAE's Assistant Undersecretary for Food Diversity, Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hamadi, highlighted that the Ministry is collaborating with several pertinent agencies to ensure that all food items in the nation, whether they are imported or domestically produced, meet the highest food safety requirements.

More precisely, concerns about possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, dangerous bacteria that may cause listeriosis—a dangerous infection that typically affects pregnant women, babies, the elderly, and others with compromised immune systems—led to this cautious removal.

According to WAM, the Ministry is working with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and regional regulatory bodies to investigate the issue, and it is also in contact with the manufacturer to withdraw the affected product from UAE markets until laboratory testing and further verification are completed. However, the Ministry did not name any specific brand.

Typically, food contamination occurs during processing or packaging when adequate hygiene precautions are not taken, such as handling contaminated equipment, surfaces, or components or using contaminated raw materials.

MOCCAE's Dedication to Food Safety 

Dr. Mohammed stated that the Ministry is stepping up its enquiries into the aforementioned product to ascertain its safety for ingestion as soon as feasible.

Moreover, Al Hamadi revealed that while the product is being pulled from all UAE stores, laboratory and field teams are presently gathering further samples for analysis in specialist labs.

Al Hamadi stated in closing that MOCCAE is dedicated to implementing all necessary steps to improve food safety as part of its community protection priority, making sure that the appropriate authorities take all necessary steps to ensure product safety and shield consumers from any risks related to food.

Primarily, MOCCAE appreciates the establishment of the Gulf Rapid Alert System for Food (GRASF), which facilitates the prompt sharing of information on food products that pose a health risk among GCC countries, as part of its efforts to ensure food safety.

In short, the system is established using a regulated technique and process that provides prompt answers, hence improving GCC nations' capacity to take preventative steps and successfully protect consumer health.

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