DAMMAM, 4 March 2007 — News that taheena containing the whitening agent titanium dioxide, which is considered carcinogenic when ingested, has spurred health inspections in the Eastern Province. Officials said yesterday that they have not found any producers of the sesame sauce using the questionable compound.
Officials said they have performed random inspections and tests among manufacturers in the province. Mayor Daifallah Al-Otaibi said that all taheena produced in his jurisdiction conforms to Saudi food specifications.
Earlier, a leaflet had been distributed naming companies that were producing taheena containing the whitening agent, which is used in pigments and toothpaste, considered to increase the chances of cancer when ingested regularly.
The Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry denied reports that it was responsible for the leaflet. Owners of said companies complained that the flier was purposefully produced and distributed in an attempt to harm their credibility causing financial harm.
