Ministry quashes animal feed rumours

Abu Dhabi: Animal feed distributed to livestock growers through delivery centres in the emirate is subject to a series of tests and a stringent monitoring before being released for use, said an official from the government department responsible for food quality.

Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, director of public relations and communications at the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), was responding to the common perception among some people that some animal feeds were rotten.

"In countries such as Spain where sunlight is absent for a long period of time, the feed is put to dry in ovens in lieu of sunlight, leading to slightly brownish appearance. Some people mistakenly regard this as a sign of rot," Al Reyaysa explained.

"At the ADFCA, we have a permanent committee to follow up on feed quality issues and take quick actions in case of any complaints, apart from the laboratory tests and inspections we run in stores and warehouses," he said.

Al Rayaysa also added that the safe animal feed is made available to farmers at a reasonable price, and that a comprehensive strategy of production, which prevents animal feed shortages without over-using natural resources like water, had been put in place by the authority.