The Truth About Insects in Egyptian Okra Exports

Recently, there have been claims that some exported okra fruits from Egypt contain insects. However, the head of the Peasants’ Syndicate in Egypt, Hussein Abdel Rahman Abu Saddam, has contacted the relevant Egyptian authorities to address the validity of these claims.

No Truth to the Claims

According to Abu Saddam, the concerned and responsible Egyptian authorities have declared these claims to be false. He further explains that the Food Safety Authority, which is responsible for frozen products, has confirmed the incorrectness of these statements. Abu Saddam emphasizes that Egyptian okra is completely free from any insect infestation, and any product that does not meet international standards is not allowed to be exported.

Authorities’ Response

Abu Saddam reveals that the authorities will issue a statement within a few hours to respond to the circulation of these claims in newspapers and websites. He highlights that Egypt’s coding system provides detailed information about where crops are grown, their source, and all relevant data for exported products. This system allows for easier rectification of any errors without damaging the reputation of the entire crop.

Record-High Agricultural Exports

Egyptian agricultural exports in the last months of 2023 reached a record high of almost 5 million tons. Strict procedures have been implemented to boost demand from all over the world. The Egyptian Agricultural Company thoroughly checks all products before export to meet the requirements of importing countries.

About Egyptian Okra

Abdel Rahman highlights that okra is the most expensive type of Egyptian vegetable, with a local price of around 50 pounds per kilogram. Despite its high price, Egyptian agricultural exports, including okra, totaled about 5 million tons in the first half of 2023.

Warnings from Other Countries

It is worth noting that the Saudi Arabian Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning against consuming frozen okra from the zero product brand (Sanabel), which is made in Egypt. Additionally, the Center for Food Safety and Quality in the Sultanate of Oman has warned about insect infestation in a product made from Egyptian okra.

Source

Source: RT

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