Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has clarified that the Colorado cantaloupes (a variety of melon), to which the recent outbreak of listeria illness in the US was traced, is not imported to the UAE.

In a statement issued to the press, Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the Authority was carefully following the development since it was first reported on 31/7/2011. "However, there is no need for any specific action on this because the contaminated product was distributed only internally in the US," he pointed out, adding that melons sold in the markets here are safe.