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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 16 April 2018: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has confirmed that markets in the UAE are free of listeria-contaminated Australian rock melons. The confirmation comes in response to recent rumors circulating on social media in this context. On March 5, 2018, MOCCAE issued a decision to withdraw and remove Australian rock melons from the UAE’s markets, in line with the Ministerial Decree no. 433 for 2017 on Rapid Alert System for Food. Majd Al Herbawi, Food Safety Director at MOCCAE, said: “The decision comes in the wake of what has been circulated in international newspapers regarding the listeria-contaminated Australian rock melons. The Ministry has been closely following the updates of the outbreak.” Al Herbawi indicated that the Ministry, along with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and municipal authorities in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, are monitoring the markets to ensure the sound implementation of the decision. She added: “The Ministry has also directed food safety regulatory authorities at UAE entry points to prevent the entry of rock melon shipments originating from Australia, unless they are declared contaminant-free.” MOCCAE assures consumers that the rock melons found in the UAE’s markets are safe to consume, as lab test results show they are free of any contamination. The Ministry is keeping up-to-date on the issue and continues to tighten procedures on inbound rock melon shipments from Australia.
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