Doha : Qatar has banned insect products in foodstuffs after the European Union (EU) added two new products to its approved list.
In a statement, the Qatar Ministry of Health said that insect products do not meet “the requirements of the technical regulations for halal food.” “The regulations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the religious opinion of the competent authorities prohibit eating insects or proteins and supplements extracted from them,” it added.
Also Read Qatar extends Hayya Card validity for visitors until January 2024 Qatar said its move followed “the decision of some countries to approve the use of insects in food production”. Though the statement did not mention any names, the announcement came a week after the European Union Commission approved the use of small mealworm larvae and domestic crickets in food.
The European Union’s approval has caused a state of controversy, but what seems strange to many has been a tangible reality for years as these products are widely available in shops.
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