Everywhere you go these days in the Kingdom, there are frightening signs and stories of environmental pollution, contamination and deterioration. Drinking water is polluted because in many places sewage finds its way into fresh water sources. Vegetables and other agricultural produce are contaminated because farmers often use untreated sewage water for irrigation.
From time to time, we read of expired food being on sale when discovered by the inspecting authorities.
The latest case involved a shipment of imported honey. It was initially rejected because it failed to meet specifications but has now, after a month, been released into the market.
It is not clear what happened during the one-month period or what made the laboratory that initially rejected the honey to change its decision and accept it. Was it because during the second test the honey was found to be free the pollutants that had led to its earlier rejection? What made the laboratory change its judgment and accept what it earlier rejected? Was the team that conducted the second test and declared the honey fit the same team that conducted the first examination and rejected the shipment?
The way things are conducted at the quality control laboratory is so confusing that doubts are cast on its performance. The situation requires quick intervention by the Ministry of Commerce, which should conduct an investigation to determine if there are shortcomings and negligence and, if so, punish those responsible. Such a move may, however, not be an easy task since the entire shipment may by now have been released with the laboratory keeping no samples to prove whether or not the honey was fit or unfit for human consumption.
Once again, this matter should also be the subject of a thorough investigation. Unfortunately, this particular case may not be the last. Who can guarantee that no such cases occurred in the past? Who can guarantee that such cases will not occur in future?
In the past, the quality control laboratory has not responded to criticism. It even allowed the import of American beef into the Kingdom although 40 other countries banned the meat following the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States a few months ago.
It seems that we are fated to live with pollution and contamination until such time as sewage and water treatment projects have been completed. And also until those charged with overseeing both material and moral pollution begin to do their jobs.
