Tuna products in UAE safe to consume, says Ministry

Yamama Bedwan, Staff Reporter

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has confirmed that no cases of imported tuna products failing to comply with the maximum permissible mercury levels were detected in the country during this year.

All imported food shipments are subject to a risk assessment. In the event that a food shipment is found to contravene technical regulations, the requisite measures are taken to guarantee that no food product that may present a risk to consumer health is traded.

Commenting on the recent media coverage surrounding a scientific study on European tuna products, which found out that 57% of the sampled products exceeded the maximum permissible limits for mercury in fish, the Ministry affirmed the crucial role of monitoring imported seafood in safeguarding food safety.

It affirmed that the local regulatory authorities regularly conduct tests on mercury levels in fish and seafood, particularly tuna, to ensure compliance with established limits. Furthermore, the Ministry collaborates with the pertinent authorities to oversee incoming shipments, ensuring that they are free from pollutants that could potentially affect consumer health.

The Ministry has stated that it remains committed to implementing the recommendations set forth by the World Health Organization and other relevant international organizations concerning the maximum permissible levels of contaminants in food products. This is done with the objective of ensuring the continuous protection of consumer health and safety.

It was emphasised that the objective is to guarantee food safety in collaboration with all local regulatory authorities in the country. This is to be achieved by implementing precise control over imported food products, particularly marine products. These products are subjected to comprehensive testing to detect toxins and pollutants, with the aim of ensuring their safe consumption and compliance with approved technical specifications and regulations.

Recently, activists engaged in the conservation of marine ecosystems in various European countries have issued a call for the prohibition of canned tuna in a range of institutional settings, including hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. This appeal has been prompted by the discovery of elevated levels of mercury in canned tuna samples collected from multiple European countries.