Abu Dhabi authority clears air on tainted olives

A tainted Italian olive product which was recalled after the death of a woman in Finland from botulism poisoning is not sold in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has confirmed. The Italian-made olive product Bio Gaudiano, which is sold in glass bottles with an expiry date of September 2012, is not in the various food markets in Abu Dhabi, a senior official told Gulf News. ADFCA's inspectors conducted field visits soon after receiving an alert from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed about the producing company's decision to recall the product, said Saeed Jasem Mohammad, acting director of communication and community service at ADFCA. "We have instructed all the inspectors at the border points to look for the product in question to ensure that it does not reach the emirate," he explained. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has posted a warning on its website, asking consumers in Saudi Arabia to take maximum precautions in this regard as the Kingdom is one of the largest consumers of raw olives, processed olives and olive oil in the world. The Saudi Authority has also asked the agencies to recall the products and remove them from the shelves. Serious problems Bio Gaudiano Organic Olives Stuffed with Almonds (in glass jars and cans) were recalled by the producer because they had the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death, according to a press release issued by the company, which has been posted on the website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Finland, two adults from the same household were hospitalised, including the woman who died, after eating the product. Both were diagnosed with botulism and their jar of stuffed organic olives was subsequently discovered to contain the toxin, the National Institute for Health and Welfare reported. Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause symptoms of general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness in other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.