Bahrain’s Health Ministry headed off a shipment of contaminated squid that was spotted crossing the border on Wednesday, reported the Gulf Daily News.
A total of 200 cartons of squid were found to be contaminated with the poisonous element cadmium.
Health Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Care and Public Health Abdulwahab Mohammed Abdulwahab said the level of cadmium in the confiscated shipment was higher than acceptable levels in the Gulf.
He said the shipment was tested as part of routine checks on imported food items.
Abdulwahab would not disclose any more information about the nature of the shipment or its source, saying it was "classified" information, said the paper.
"The water and food control section, in coordination with Public Health Laboratories, continuously check imported food to protect consumers," he said.
"We have very strict procedures and regulations to ensure that all the foodstuffs entering Bahrain are suitable for consumption."
Food items suspected of being harmful, said Abdulwahab, underwent extensive tests to ensure that they were free of contaminants.
"If any person feels that any place is selling him food which is contaminated, he should be free to call us with his complaint. We will be happy to check the suspected items in our laboratory for any contamination," he noted – Albawaba.com
