UAE: 'Contaminated' mayonnaise that killed 1 in Saudi not available in country's markets

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on Wednesday confirmed that the country’s markets are free of mayonnaise product by Bon Tum, indicating that the product has not been exported to the country.

On Sunday, May 12, Saudi authorities halted the distribution and recalled the contaminated product after a food poisoning incident linked to Hamburgini restaurant in Riyadh.

Last week, one person died and 75 were hospitalised after the food poisoning incident.

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Earlier, authorities in Abu Dhabi had confirmed on Tuesday that the emirate was free of Bon Tum mayonnaise while assuring it has not entered outlets in the city.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) also said that control has also been tightened at the ports to ensure that the product does not enter except after ensuring its safety and compliance with specifications.

The authority reassured consumers that it is taking all necessary means and measures to prevent any unsafe and unhealthy products from reaching the emirate’s markets.

According to the Food and Drug Authority in Saudi, laboratory analysis revealed the presence of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, the cause of botulism, in a sample of Bon Tum mayonnaise served at the said restaurant.

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