DUBAI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday issued a directive to tighten control on importing eggs from the Netherlands amid fears of contamination.
The directive was issued by the UAE Ministry Of Climate Change and Environment, which urged local authorities to ensure UAE markets are free of contaminated eggs imported from the Netherlands, the Gulf Times reported.
The ministry has also tightened the control on shipments of eggs and other food products to ensure their safety and fitness for human consumption.
The entities responsible for implementing the directive include the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, and the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the report said.
The step came after a warning issued by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) regarding eggs produced in the country. A report said the Netherlands eggs are unfit for human consumption due to high content of pesticide (Fipronil) residues as per the EU standards.
The ministry ordered the concerned UAE departments not to issue permits for importing eggs from the Netherlands if they carry the 28 codes listed on the NVWA website. The codes are clearly printed on the eggs' shells.
The UAE consumes two billions eggs a year, the report said.
