
According to Khalid Al Hosni, laboratory tests found large amounts of bacteria and fungi in the drink, which falls short of the UAE accepted health standards. The fungi found in Vimto drink produce dangerous toxins that could lead to serious diseases. Mister AlHosny urged the public not to buy the drink if they found it in stores and to report shops selling it to the municipality. [1]
The Vimto soft drink has been cleared from shop shelves at Ajman Emirate, other emirates and municipalities have been notified, said Humaid Al Muala, also an Ajman environment and public health expert.
Vimto a soft drink with 3% of juice [2]
Vimto is a soft drink originating from the United Kingdom. It contains the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants (in a 3% concentration), flavoured with herbs and spices.
In the Arabian Peninsula, Vimto has enjoyed over 80 years of dominance as the beverage of choice for the iftar or sunset feast during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.
In Saudi Arabia Vimto is manufactured under license by the Aujan Industrial Company and enjoys a 90% market share in the cordial concentrated drinks market. Every year, the company launches aggressive marketing campaigns on Arab satellite TV channels that in recent years have become very popular, and achieved cult status with viral marketing videos exchanged on the Internet.
Aujan Industries is a fast growing soft drinks company, based in Dubai, with a portfolio of brands including Vimto, Rani, Barbican and Hani.However, having traditionally focused on the Gulf States, Aujan is expanding across the region with plants in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and a new plant coming on stream in Iran.
[1] Warning over tainted soft drink. The National 4 Jan 2012.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/warning-over-tainted-soft-drink
[2] Vimto. Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimto