Watermelon imported from Iran is free from contamination, safe for consumption

Samples from watermelon that had been imported from Iran have come back free from contamination and are thus safe for consumption. Samples, which had been collected Wednesday from municipal inspectors, were sent to a laboratory for testing following the complaints from the public about contaminated Iranian watermelon. People had posted pictures and comments on social media websites, forcing the authorities to respond.

Iranian watermelon safe for consumption: SCH

DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) said yesterday that Iranian watermelon in the local market are safe for consumption. Laboratory tests conducted on watermelon samples showed that they are free from contamination by chemical or biological substances or microbes, said a SCH statement yesterday. Municipal inspectors on Wednesday collected samples from the market and sent them for lab tests following complaints from the public about contaminated Iranian watermelon. People posted pictures and comments on the social media, forcing the authorities to respond. The SCH said that the holes found on the surface of the watermelon were caused by previous infection by insects which no more exists and do not pose any health hazards. The tests were conducted at the Central Food Laboratory at the SCH. The SCH urged the public not to create panic by circulating wrong information and check the facts with the authorities concerned.

The Peninsula