In a special statement to Libya Herald, Mohamed Al-Zayat, the Official Spokesperson for Libya’s Food and Drug Control Centre (FDCC), confirmed the circulating news that onions unfit for human consumption had entered Libya from Egypt.
He said that the FDCC had organized a campaign, launched in the past few days, targeting the largest vegetable markets in the capital, most notably the Janzour and the Sunday market (Sug Al-Ahad).
Al-Zayat pointed out that the aim of the campaign is to ensure the safety of the onions traded inside the market, especially those coming from Egypt by land.
He added that FDCC inspectors were present at the security gates on the outskirts of the capital, which resulted in the seizure of two trucks at the western entrance loaded with quantities of onions from Egypt. Other quantities in the hundreds of kilos have also been seized in markets for the same reason.
Al-Zayat also confirmed that the FDCC’s branch in Tobruk was contacted to ascertain the legality of the entry of the onion shipments. Tobruk confirmed their illegal entry, he explained.
Libya Herald also learned that the management of the FDCC gave instructions for the continuation of its inspection campaigns on vegetable markets inside and outside Tripoli. It is also coordinating to set up a mechanism for the healthy handling of vegetables that match the stipulated health standard specifications.
