RIYADH, 23 June — The Commerce Ministry said it was carrying out laboratory tests on a number of American baby food products after reports that they contained pork derivatives.
Humaid Al-Ruwaithy, deputy minister for internal trade, said the tests were planned to establish the veracity of news reports in this regard.
According to the Islamic News and Information Network (ININ), the UAE has already banned Kellog’s products including corn flakes and chocolates after reports that they contained pork gelatin.
Ruwaithy said the ministry would soon issue a statement announcing the results of the laboratory tests.
"We don’t want to take a hasty decision on the matter as it will not serve public interest," he told Arab News.
The Islamic network said it sent a letter to Kellog’s stating: "Word is all over the Internet that Kellog’s cornflakes have pork products in it. The idea is catching on in the Muslim community and calls are being made to boycott Kellog’s."
The US company confirmed in its reply that many of its products contained gelatin. "Kellogg brands which contain pork gelatin are Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Squares, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Chocolate Squares and Kellogg’s Pop Tarts.
"Kellogg’s Frosted Wheats breakfast cereal contains beef gelatin," said Emma Dobbin of Consumer Services.
Abdullah Binzagr, president of Binzagr company, the sole distributor of Kellog’s products in Saudi Arabia, has stated that the Kellog’s products marketed in the Kingdom are free from pork and its derivatives.
Consumers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have chosen Kellog’s cereals as their favorite breakfast cereals for years, he added.
