Bromate concentration levels in bottled and un-bottled water
Study aims to identify the level of bromide and bromate in bottled and un-bottled water, and the impact of mixing sea water with desalinated water, in order to re-balance its salt content. Analyses results revealed that the desalinated water contain large quantities of bromide component, which led to a big increase in the level of bromate up to forty times the international limits in some cases.
The study recommended the prevention of mixing desalinated water with sea water in order to balance its salt content, and to use pure salts free of bromide in the process of balancing desalinated water. This Study has led to the issuance of the administrative decision No.(4) , 2005 concerning drink water in Abu Dhabi Emirate which defines the levels of bromate in drinking water.
Mercury and Arsenic Levels in Some Predatory Fish Species Marketed in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Five large predatory fish species were studied: Grey Shark (Jarjur) Carcharinus sp., Barred Spanish Mackerel (Kana’ad) Scomberomorus commerson, Talang Queenfish (Bissar, Dilaa’) Scomberoides commersonnianus, Cobia (Sikil) Rachycentron canadum and Longtail Tuna (Gubab) Thunnus tonggol. 137 samples of varying sizes (weight range 0.5 kg - 50 kg) were collected from various outlets in Abu Dhabi’s main seafood market at Al-Mina area. Samples of fish muscle tissue were analyzed for total mercury and arsenic.
Shark species sampled were found to have the highest mean levels of both total mercury and total arsenic, while talang queenfish of all weight categories had the second highest mean levels of total mercury, however talang queenfish in the weight range > 5-10 kg had an extremely high mean mercury concentration of 2328.58 μg/kg. High mercury levels (up to 1328.5 μg/kg ) were found in some Cobia (Sikil) fish weighing more than 20 kg. However, Cobia fish weighing less than 20 kg were all well below the Codex maximum permissible level. None of the 5 fish species studied had significant levels of toxic inorganic arsenic (rarely exceeding 5% of total arsenic) to be of risk to consumer safety. The Barred Spanish mackerel fish had the lowest levels of both total mercury and arsenic.
Surveying Radiation Levels in Baby Food and Infant Milk
Study has been performed through a radiological survey of the different types of baby foods and breast-milk substitutes available in the markets of Abu Dhabi. The radiation levels in more than 60 samples of different brands were analyzed in the Radiation Unit of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority in Abu Dhabi. The results of the analyses showed that radiation levels in all samples were within normal levels, and are considered to be free of radioactive contaminants.
Radium Survey in Well Water in Abu Dhabi Emirate (Stage 1: Al Ain Zone)
In this survey study 42 samples of wells water used for irrigation and drinking were collected from different places in AL Ain region. The locations of wells have been identified in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Environmental Authority. The survey proved that the gross alpha activity of radium isotopes found naturally in these waters fall within the allowed limits. The study recommended the completion of survey to include other regions of Abu Dhabi Emirate with the second phase of this survey being the survey of the western region.
Survey on dates Produced in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Factories from 2000 to 2005
The survey was performed to uncover the extent of contamination in dates with colon bacterium, fungi and yeast with respect to the damage these micro-organisms cause to human health as a result of the production of harmful toxins. A total of 553 samples has been studied, and the percentage of the unfit samples was 23.15% due to the presence of fungi, which is a high percentage.
The study recommended field visits to be conducted to factories to investigate the hygienic procedures for processing and producing dates and to review the international studies in this field.
Survey of Alcohol in Drinks and Beverages Sold in Abu Dhabi Markets
A survey of alcohol content in drinks and beverages has been conducted to ensure manufacturers are complying with legislation laid down by regional standards, i.e., UAE standards and Gulf standards.
A total of 123 samples were collected during 2006-2007 from retail outlets and wholesale and catering suppliers in the Abu Dhabi and consisted of non-alcoholic beverages, concentrates based on fruit juice and energy drinks. The levels of alcohol in 87% of analyzed samples were within the local statutory limits.
Identification of Forbidden Colors Added to Pickles
The Colour material includes natural and industrial dyes which add to foods for attractive appearance with Quantities legalized and deliberate. Standard Organization for G.C.C (GSO) set the list of Colour material Permitted to add to the foods. There is non-food industrial colours add to the some Food Products such as pickles. This colours they detrimental to the health of the consumer, Investigation and identification of this types of industrial colours Completion during the Routine work of analyses of Turnip Pickles. The results of these pickles analyses obtains the colour added to the food was base colour and from this point the inspection campaigns start to All places that sell the Pickles and collect the samples from this sale points by coordination with Al-ain laboratories department. Abu Dhabi laboratories department analyses of thirty seven samples found twenty seven of them positive results contain base colors, while Al-ain laboratories department analyses of fifty nine samples found five of them positive results contain base colors.
The study recommended continuing control over the previous species with focus on sample species containing colour and Follow-up study.
Detection of the Nature Sudan Red in Spices and Spicy Foods
The Sudan dyes belong to a family of industrial dyes, non-food colours, normally used for coloring materials. Sudan Red dyes considers of and they detrimental to the health of the consumer. The discovery of dyes in may 2003 in the red chili powder imported from India into the Europe. So Decision was made to examine all shipments of Red Chili and there derivatives.
In light of the information emanating from a body of British Standard Organization (BSI) ADFCA give order to Abu Dhabi and Al-ain laboratories department to start the inspection campaigns and survey, Abu Dhabi laboratories department analyses of 308 samples found nine of them positive results contain dye, and Al-ain laboratories department analyses of 42 samples found one of them positive results contain dye.
The study recommended continuing control over the previous species with focus on sample species containing Sudan colour and Follow-up study to ensure that the food free from this dyes.
Pesticides residues survey in vegetables and fruits (2006-2008)
In 2006 pesticides residues unit in Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority launched pesticides residues survey in local and imported vegetables and fruits. Around 860 samples were analyzed in 2006 and 83.83% of samples found free of pesticides residues, 15.58% of samples had pesticides residues within the MRLs and only 0.58% of the analyzed samples contain pesticides above the MRLs.
In 2007, 425 samples were analyzed; the percentage of samples free of pesticides residues was 77.88 % and 20.23% of samples had pesticides residues within the MRLs, 4.23% of samples had pesticides residues above the MRLs.
During the first half of 2008, 206 samples were analyzed of which 61.65% were free of pesticides residues, 35.92% within MRLs and 2.42% above the MRLs.