Kuwaitis, expats confused, scared of consuming food products from Iran

This news has been read 26728 times!

KUWAIT CITY, March 1: A state of confusion and fright has taken over the minds of Kuwaitis and expatriates concerning Iranian food products across the local market following reports of infections and deaths resulting from coronavirus in Iran, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

In a market survey carried out by the daily, it was revealed that stopping the import of food items and other commodities from Iran will not affect the local market too much, especially since Iranian products have only about seven percent presence in the local market and it is easy to substitute them with products from other countries.

A Kuwaiti citizen, simply called Bu Ali, opined that the country should temporarily stop importing Iranian products as a precautionary measure against possible contamination with coronavirus. He said the products that are currently in the market are free of the virus, because they have been in the warehouses for some time now.

Meanwhile, Umm Mohammad declared that Iranian honey is her favorite, but she has no option but to temporarily stop using it considering the prevailing situation. She said she also prefers Iranian sheep but she has kept its consumption on hold for now. Umm Mohammad indicated that a major problem is that cooperative societies and other shopping outlets do not mention the countries of origin on fruits and vegetables.

Also, Professor at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) Dr Bader Al-Khodhairi said there should not be any reason to become frightened of Iranian products in this manner, especially since all products entering the country are properly checked. In addition, food seller Hamid Al-Hassawi affirmed that the quality of the Iranian products are among the best in the market. He indicated that many of their customers prefer Iranian raisins, kiwis, sweet lemons, dates and onions.

Al-Hassawi affirmed that the commodities are not infected, due to which the customers continue to patronize it. He stressed that any attempt to stop importing Iranian onions will affect the market, because there is a crisis in the import of onions from India currently.

This news has been read 26728 times!