Yemen Standards Authority Seizes, Destroys Non-Compliant Goods

The Yemeni Standards and Quality Control Authority has announced the rejection and destruction of significant quantities of food and consumer products found to be non-compliant with established standards. These actions were taken during inspection operations conducted by the authority's offices at the Free Zone Port in the capital, Aden, and several other ports and governorates across Yemen.

At the Free Zone Port in Aden, the authority rejected a shipment of electronic and platform scales because the importer refused to subject them to mandatory calibration procedures before market release, a violation of approved standards. Additionally, 54 cartons of dry fruit-flavored candy were rejected due to safety concerns, as their powdered form posed a potential choking hazard for children. The authority also rejected 180 water bidets and a quantity of household gas regulators upon discovering that products labeled as originating from Italy were actually manufactured in China, an act deemed by the authority as commercial fraud and deception.

Seized items also included 520 cartons of sweet pepper-flavored food enhancer found to contain the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951), along with children's toys that lacked the required Gulf conformity certificate. In a separate action, 654 cartons of bathroom, surface, and clothing detergents were destroyed after their packaging was found to be damaged, compromising the product specifications. This destruction took place at the Free Zone landfill with the participation of customs and relevant authorities.

In the Hadramaut Governorate, the authority rejected and destroyed 8,598 packs of baby diapers and 400 bags of laundry detergent for failing to meet shelf-life requirements. Through its office at the Al-Wadiah land port, the authority, in coordination with customs and specialized bodies, also rejected and destroyed expired adhesive materials.

Furthermore, at the Shihr port, the authority rejected a quantity of artificial strawberry-flavored syrup containing prohibited food additives, including sodium cyclamate and calcium cyclamate. In Shabwah, the authority destroyed a batch of sunscreen that did not meet standard specifications regarding its expiry date. The authority's office in Marib Governorate rejected and destroyed 500 cartons of yogurt after detecting changes in the product's taste and odor.

The Standards and Quality Control Authority emphasized that these seizure and destruction operations are part of its ongoing efforts to monitor goods and products in circulation, ensure their compliance with standards, and protect consumers from unsafe or counterfeit products.