South Africa denies alleged poisonous worms in Somali bananas

The South African government has denied reports of imported poisonous Somali bananas, terming the allegations as fake news. In a statement, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) said the country did not import bananas containing Helicobacter from Somalia.

The department said South Africa regulates the importation of plants and plant products in terms of the Agricultural Pests Act,1983 and its associated regulations, which require imports to be subjected to inspection at ports of entry or, depending on the protocol, consignments can be subjected to extended detention for further inspection, before their release into the retail space.

The statement by the South African government comes barely a week after Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority dispelled the viral video about poisonous Somali bananas saying the video is incorrect and contains false and misleading information for the viewer.