• Home

Nothing harmful in drinks

DUBAI - Lab tests on contaminated Vimto fruit drink found nothing harmful other than molds, Dubai Municipality said on Wednesday.

The civic body’s Food Control Department, which seized thousands of contaminated bottles of the popular fruit drink following reports of high levels of fungi in the drink in different emirates, also assured that the Vimto drinks available in the market are safe for consumption. The spoiled drinks were bottled in 250ml bottles, the sale of which has been halted by the Municipality till the Saudi Arabia-based manufacturing company discovers the reason for the growth of molds in its bottles and takes corrective action.

Shaima Al Tenaiji, deputy head for Food Studies and Planning Section, told Khaleej Times that the lab tests did not indicate anything else than the formation of molds.

“We found only mold in an upper limit. But if you ask me about the risk level it can pose, I can say that it was not in a high risk level,” she said. However, the Municipality will not allow the Dubai-based distributors Aujan Industries to sell the 250ml drink without providing the required explanations and proof for corrective action.

“If the company wants to sell this product in our local market, they must do it. But the problem was only with the 250ml plastic bottles. The other Vimto products are fine and you can drink them without fear,” said Al Tenaiji.

Earlier this week, the department had seized 3,675 contaminated bottles from Dubai and recalled all Vimto 250ml bottles as a precautionary measure to protect public health. This followed reports of seizure of contaminated bottles of the brand in Fujairah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

sajila@khaleejtimes.com