Emergency team formed to figure out onion crisis – Ban on Egyptian veggies lifted

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 20: Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalid Al-Rawdan has formed an emergency team tasked to find solutions to the onion crisis, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources. In a related development, acting Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi visited the fruits and vegetables market after the announcement of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition on lifting the ban on importing some kinds of vegetables from Egypt.

However, Al-Harbi did not reveal the reason behind the visit. It can be recalled that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a decision last Thursday to lift the ban on importing a number of Egyptian vegetables and fruits such as guava, onion, pepper and lettuce according to the recommendations of the Supreme Committee for Food Safety.

The decision includes taking samples and holding shipments which will be released after ensuring they are safe for human consumption and they meet the specifications. Director of Imported Food Department at the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition Ali Al-Khanfour affirmed the onion price hike issue will be dealt with according to the decisions of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and approval of Al-Harbi to adopt the current testing mechanism for vegetables and fruits. He added that about 260 tons of onions arrived in Kuwait and more will follow later.

In addition, Al-Harbi revealed that the Supreme Committee for Food Safety consists of representatives of different official bodies such as Kuwait Municipality, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Public Authority for Industry (PAI), Kuwait Institution for Scientific Research (KISR), Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment Public Authority (EPA), Public Authority for Customs, Kuwait Association of Foodstuff Traders and Manufacturers, and Ministry of Health.

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