DUBAI – The Maragatty chicken stock cubes, which were recently recalled in Saudi Arabia due to the presence of banned artificial colours, are not available in UAE markets, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) confirmed on Tuesday, March 4.
In an official statement, MoCCAE reassured the public of its strict food safety regulations and continuous efforts to protect consumers from harmful products.
Saudi Arabia Recalls Product Over Health Risks
The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) had issued a recall notice for Maragatty chicken broth cubes on February 28, after discovering that the product contained artificial colour additives banned due to potential health risks.
As part of its response, Saudi authorities took regulatory action against the importing company and warned consumers to dispose of any remaining stock immediately.
UAE Strengthens Monitoring of Coloured Food Additives
The UAE’s MoCCAE emphasized that it is actively monitoring food products, particularly those containing colour additives, to ensure that all products available in local markets comply with food safety regulations.
In January 2025, the ministry had stepped up its vigilance on food safety, following global concerns over synthetic dyes in food products.
This comes after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red No. 3 dye—a synthetic colouring found in candies, snacks, fruit products, cakes, and some oral medications—due to evidence linking it to cancer in laboratory rats. The dye had already been banned in cosmetics for over three decades but remained in use in nearly 3,000 food products in the U.S.
Commitment to Consumer Protection
The UAE remains committed to enforcing strict food safety measures, ensuring that all imported and locally produced food products meet international health and safety standards.
The ministry has urged residents to stay informed about food safety guidelines and report any suspicious or unsafe food products to the relevant authorities.
