According to officials, Kuwait has withdrawn all Spanish olive oils from the market following health fears over a low- grade Spanish olive oil. Kuwait's Health Ministry spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Mur said that pending further notice and the results of tests, the ministry had withdrawn all Spanish olive oils from the market. Kuwait's neighbours Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain have taken similar precautions. The Gulf Arab states import most of their food needs. Spain last week took the precaution of halting trade in the low-grade olive-pomace oil after discovering that it contained benzopyrene, which is believed to cause cancer after long-term consumption.
