Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) is determined to unearth the source of a rumour about the aerated soft drink 7Up with the help of law enforcement agencies, a senior official told Gulf News on Sunday.
The rumour spread through BlackBerry, quoting ADFCA, Health Authority Abu Dhabi and WAM (Emirates news agency), was that 7Up was banned in the UAE for containing poisonous substances, said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA.
The authority clarified that the information about a ban on 7Up was only a rumour and urged the public not to be swayed by such unfounded reports doing the rounds.
"We issued the clarification as we received numerous calls since Sunday morning about the rumour," Al Reyaysa said.
Modus operandi
"But that is not enough … spreading the rumour using the names of three official agencies is a crime," the official said.
He said the modus operandi of the rumour monger showed that it was a well-planned move … rather a professional job. "Either it could be a handiwork of any of the competitors of that brand or any criminal who wanted to make confusion or unrest in the community," Al Reyaysa said. "Anyway we are determined to unearth the source with the help of law enforcement agencies [like cyber cell of police] to stop such practices," the official said.
Al Reyaysa said all food items including the soft drinks are regularly going through strict sample testing of ADFCA.
Major retailers said they were not aware of the rumours. "On hearing any such rumours, we immediately check with authorities. And if it is true, the products are removed from the shelves at once," said Bejoy Thomas, manager of promotions and new initiatives at Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society. "In this case, there was no such information," he said.
Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, requested the public to approach Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority first if they come across any information through unauthorised channels. "Before spreading the rumours, please call us first on 800555 to find the truth," he said.
