Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has prevented the entry of 12,000 kilos of rotten truffles through the northern Al-Haditha border crossing near Jordan. The SFDA slapped fine on importers for handling contaminated food products.

The authority said that it had denied permission for the entry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, of the truffle consignments after it was found that there was fungal growth and widespread rot. The authority carries out laboratory analyses of the consignments to verify whether they contained pesticides, metals, or radiation.

The authority advised that truffles would be consumed within 10 days after their harvesting and not preserved for long periods of time by boiling or freezing. It also urged to maintain its flavor, remove the black areas, clean it from the soil, rinse it with running water, and dry it.