Oman bans import of ‘Shtine’ bottled water over health concerns

MUSCAT: Oman’s Food Safety and Quality Centre (FSQC) on Friday banned the import of ‘Shtine’ bottled drinking water after Saudi Arabia ordered to withdraw the product from the local market.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has ordered the withdrawal after the water was found to contain excessive amounts of bromate, a chemical formed during disinfection of water.

In a statement issued on Friday, FSQC stated it has taken all necessary measures to “prevent the import of the aforementioned product through border crossings, and is currently working to ensure that local markets – if any are free of it in coordination with the relevant authorities.”
The authority has warned the public against consuming Shtine bottled water and urged them to immediately dispose them. The Shtine bottled water is produced by Yanabi Najd Manufacturing Company in Saudi Arabia.