The Jordanian Dates Association (JODA) on Sunday stressed that withdrawing any product from the local market is considered a precautionary measure, "which does not deserve such media frenzy as it affects a large segments of farmers, investors and the national economy”, according to a JODA statement.

JODA refuted reports circulated in the media about the potential contamination of a shipment of Jordanian dates in the British market.

The association expressed appreciation of Agriculture Minister Khalid Hanifat’s "continued and vigorous follow-up on the repercussions of this matter, and for protecting the local product and its reputation in the international market”.

"The JODA would like to clarify that most of the Jordanian date farms operate with the highest level of professionalism and technology in the aspects of the production and handling  in order to maintain the quality of production, and the safety of the consumer,” the statement said.

Most of these production plants have international quality certificates from HACCAP, 22000 ISO, BRC and G GAP and others, the statement said.

Also, all date grading facilities are subject to monitoring and supervision by the Food and Drug Administration in accordance with the latest international health and safety standards, according to the statement. 

"We also reiterate that all agricultural workers and date grading facility workers are subject to periodic checks and hold official health certificates, and their permits are not renewed without these checks and certificates,” the JODA said.

The date shipments to foreign markets are subject to residues test and adhere to the standards of EURO1. 

Jordan exports about 7,000 tonnes of dates annually to more than 15 countries around the world, and only about 3 per cent of them are exported to the British market, the statement said. 

"During the past 20 years, the Jordanian government and the Ministry of Agriculture have not received any complaint from any country throughout the history of Jordanian production,” the JODA said. 

"Moreover, the global risk platforms responsible for global food safety have not received any complaint or information about Jordanian dates in any market,” it said.

"We believe in the Jordanian Dates Association that the increasing demand for Jordanian dates in the global market aroused the irritation of competitors. It is not the first time that this sector has been exposed to a suspicious attack,” the association said.

"We will continue to work on development and improvement in production and marketing, and ensure the safety of consumers, workers and the environment alike,” concluded the statement.