At the height of the olive harvest season: tons of adulterated oil invade the markets and threaten Palestinian tables

Hebron - Ofoq News - At the time when the olive harvest season began in the West Bank, the customs police in the Hebron Governorate revealed the seizure of more than a ton of adulterated oils that were marketed as olive oil, even though laboratory tests proved that they do not meet the specifications of olive oil and are not fit for human consumption, in a case that raises serious concerns about attempts to exploit the season to promote adulterated products that may pose a threat to the health of citizens.

The seizures did not stop at the adulterated oil, as the customs officer also revealed the seizure of about three tons of food that was not fit for consumption, amid warnings of the leakage of goods that had been damaged as a result of inappropriate storage conditions into the local markets, especially goods that could not reach the Gaza Strip.

These details were stated by Captain Diya Abu Sharkh, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Customs Police in Hebron Governorate, during his speech on the “Good Morning to You” program, presented by journalist Riyad Khamis, and broadcast on Ofoq News satellite channel, Ofoq News radio network, and Radio 4.

More than a ton of adulterated oil... and the seizure began on suspicion of a delivery vehicle

Abu Sharkh revealed that the case began after suspicion of a quantity of oils being loaded inside one of the vehicles working with the delivery companies, which prompted customs police officers to take the necessary measures to verify the nature of the goods and the extent of their compliance with the required specifications.

He explained that the competent authorities were summoned and random samples of the seized quantity were taken and subjected to laboratory tests. The results revealed that the substance that was presented as olive oil was not olive oil that conformed to the specifications, but rather a mixture of oils that were not suitable for human consumption.

He pointed out that the seized quantity exceeded one ton of oil, and was intended for marketing as olive oil, which necessitated its seizure and legal action to be taken against the case.

Abu Sharkh said that the examination results confirmed that the seized substance could not be considered olive oil, describing it during the interview as “disguised olive oil,” referring to attempts to present a mixture of oils as a natural and original product.

He confirmed that the case file was referred to the Economic Crimes Prosecution to complete the legal procedures in accordance with the rules.

Fraud reaches olive oil...and warnings against purchasing through unknown sources

Abu Sharkh warned of the danger of purchasing olive oil from unknown parties or through sales channels that do not provide the consumer with sufficient guarantees regarding the source and quality of the product, stressing that the high demand for oil during the season may open the way for some fraudulent practices.

He stressed the necessity of purchasing oil from well-known farmers or reliable presses, and making sure to obtain oil that has undergone the necessary tests in the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He also called on citizens to ensure that the required agricultural permits are available from entities that sell oil, whether through shops, stalls, or other sales outlets.

He pointed out that the spread of e-commerce and online sales has created additional challenges related to verifying the safety of some products, especially food items whose source and quality are difficult for the consumer to confirm before receiving them.

He explained that these warnings do not target delivery companies or e-commerce workers, but rather aim to protect the consumer from dealing with unknown sources who may exploit modern sales methods to promote counterfeit products.

Delivery companies are not responsible for inspecting the contents of shipments

Speaking about controlling oil inside a vehicle working with a delivery company, Abu Sharkh explained that delivery companies play an important service role, and their transport of goods does not mean that they are aware of the nature of their contents or the extent of their compliance with health specifications.

He pointed out that delivery companies are not competent to conduct laboratory tests on transported products, and therefore they cannot be assumed to know that the oil is adulterated or unfit for consumption simply because it is present in the shipments they transport.

He stressed that the primary responsibility lies with the entities that trade products and offer them for sale, in addition to the importance of consumer awareness and their keenness to buy from reliable sources.

Three tons of spoiled food... and goods that could not reach Gaza

In another development, Abu Sharkh revealed the seizure of about three tons of foodstuffs unfit for human consumption, as part of the efforts of the customs police to pursue spoiled products and prevent them from reaching consumers.

He explained that part of the problem is related to goods that were supposed to be heading to the Gaza Strip, but Israeli procedures and restrictions, in addition to the complications associated with the movement of goods, prevented them from reaching their destination.

He pointed out that the failure of these shipments to arrive prompted them to be returned and stored, and in some cases they were kept in inappropriate conditions, which led to them being damaged and losing their suitability for consumption.

He warned that the continued inability of some goods to enter the Gaza Strip may prompt an attempt to market them in local markets, despite their exposure to storage conditions that may make them unfit for consumption.

He stressed that the customs police is working to pursue such cases and prevent the affected products from reaching the markets, noting that the seized quantities were found in areas outside the direct control of the Palestinian security services.

The expiration date is not enough. Incorrect storage may turn food into a danger

Abu Sharkh cautioned that the presence of a valid expiration date on the packaging does not necessarily mean that the product is safe for consumption, explaining that poor storage may lead to food spoilage even before the expiry of the period specified on the packages.

He said that some products may have an expiration date extending until 2027, but they may have lost their validity as a result of being exposed to inappropriate temperatures or being stored in places that do not meet the required health conditions.

He stressed that the safety of food products is not only related to the production and expiration dates, but rather requires adherence to the conditions of transportation, storage and preservation, which are essential factors for maintaining the quality and suitability of foodstuffs.

These warnings gain special importance in light of the difficult economic conditions and the complexities of the movement of goods, and the resulting attempts to dispose of damaged products instead of destroying them or withdrawing them from circulation.

A small report may reveal large quantities of spoiled goods

Abu Sharkh called on citizens not to hesitate to report any food items suspected of being spoiled or adulterated, or any illegal commercial practices that fall within the jurisdiction of the customs police.

He stressed that all complaints that reach the police are taken seriously and are subject to follow-up and verification, noting that a seemingly simple report may lead to the discovery of large quantities of unfit for consumption products.

He explained that cooperation between citizens and competent agencies represents an essential element in combating commercial fraud and protecting markets, especially in light of the diversity of promotion and selling methods and the difficulty of monitoring all trading operations without community input.

He stressed that early reporting of any violations may contribute to preventing the marketing of dangerous products and protecting consumers from potential health and material harm.

Referring the case to the prosecution... and oversight continues to protect the markets

Abu Sharkh confirmed that the customs police continues its efforts to pursue counterfeit goods that are not fit for consumption, and to take the necessary legal measures against the violations that are detected, in cooperation with the competent authorities.

He pointed out that the issue of adulterated oil was referred to the Economic Crimes Prosecution, while oversight efforts continue to control spoiled foodstuffs and prevent their circulation in Palestinian markets.