Tens of tonnes of honey has been sold at the ongoing third Souq Waqif Honey Exhibition 2020 which will conclude today after attracting a large number of visitors since its launch on January 30, said General Supervisor of Souq Waqif Honey Exhibition, Khalid Saif Al Suwaidi.
The 10-day event is being organised by the Private Engineering Office (PEO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and with the participation of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Over 150 companies from 37 countries showcased more than 50 varieties of honey at the exhibition.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Al Suwaidi revealed that during the exhibition the organisers had removed three companies from the participation, two of which were banned as the honey being marketed by them had 20 percent more moisture while the third company was banned because of the use of types of plastic bottles that did not meet specifications.
“Increasing the moisture in honey increases its fermentation and thus reduces its expiry date. Such honey can be used only within three months which is against laws in Qatar as well as the rest of the world,” he explained.
Al Suwaidi noted that the companies would be prevented from participating in the exhibition during the coming years, and their files have been transferred to the concerned authorities such as the Ministry of Public Health to take the appropriate legal action.