SWEET POISON
Muscat, March 24
With Eid Al Fitr approaching, children's joy multiplies, and one of the most prominent aspects of this joy is indulging in sweets, which are considered an essential part of Eid traditions. Their happiness with sweets isn't limited to what's offered at home but rather what they buy which are often high in sugar and fats.
However, behind this high demand lies important questions regarding the safety of these products and their impact on children's health especially given the variety available and the lack of consumer awareness among some families.
Dr Hussain al Masroori, Director-General of Food Safety and Quality Centre, emphasised the crucial difference between 'safe food' and 'healthy food', pointing out that the issue doesn't lie in the type of food itself, but rather in the pattern, manner and rate of consumption.
He stated that most sweets available in Omani markets are safe in terms of food safety being free from physical, chemical and microbiological contaminants but whether they are healthy or not is a subjective matter that varies from person to person.
He explained that a person with diabetes, for instance, cannot consume the same quantity or type of sweets as a healthy individual. 'At the centre, we stress that all products entering Oman undergo inspection and comply with standard specifications, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are healthy,' he said.
Dr Al Masroori spoke about the procedures followed to ensure the safety of both imported and locally produced sweets. He explained that the Food Safety and Quality Centre is responsible for ensuring that all imported food products comply with the approved standards in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that this task is carried out through a series of inspection and examination stages at border entry points, starting with the verification and review of accompanying documents — foremost among them the health certificate issued by the regulatory authority in the country of origin, which serves as an initial guarantee of the product's safety.
visual inspection
The procedures also include a visual inspection of the products to check transportation conditions, the accuracy of food labelling, the integrity of the packaging and the overall condition of the shipment. If any concerns or suspicions arise, a decision is made either to reject the shipment or to grant conditional release, which involves collecting samples for necessary laboratory tests. He added that the centre also relies on a risk assessment programme, which involves randomly sampling shipments even those that appear visually sound to ensure the highest levels of consumer safety.
Regarding locally produced products, he pointed to the ongoing collaboration with the municipal sector. The centre, in coordination with regulatory authorities in municipalities and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, monitors food establishments.
'There is continuous coordination between the food safety and quality departments across various governorates, municipal departments and the Consumer Protection Authority to conduct joint inspection campaigns that ensure the safety of products in circulation,' he said, adding that if non-compliant products are found at entry points, immediate action is taken either rejecting or destroying the products.
When buying sweets for children, Dr Al Masroori urged parents to distinguish between a safe product and a healthy one, clarifying that all products entering the Omani market or produced locally must be safe according to regulations and inspections, but that doesn't mean they are beneficial for all children from a health perspective.
He noted that some products contain high levels of sugar, calories, or oils which may not be suitable for some children, especially those with chronic illnesses or allergies. He stressed the importance of reading the nutrition label on the packaging to understand ingredients and sugar and calorie content.
natural foods
He also emphasised the importance of considering children's age-specific needs, saying: 'A three-year-old child's consumption should not match that of an older child. It's important to determine the appropriate daily or weekly amount. Eating sweets is not necessarily harmful if done in moderation, but natural foods remain the better option, especially for children,' he said.Dr Alya al Kindi, an emergency medicine specialist, pointed out that excessive sweet consumption can cause health issues in children, even though they need a moderate amount of sugar as an energy source. Among the most common issues is tooth decay caused by acid buildup from bacteria. Sweets also contribute to weight gain and obesity due to their high caloric content, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
She highlighted that high sugar intake can also weaken the immune system, cause digestive disturbances and lead to mood swings and energy crashes. Dr Alya added that excessive sugar consumption can disrupt healthy eating habits and impair calcium absorption and bone health. She also warned against certain additives like caffeine, which may cause insomnia and anxiety in children.
Dr Alya stressed the importance of educating families about the harms of excessive sweet consumption during Eid and encouraged practical steps to reduce children's intake. She advised limiting the availability of sweets at home and offering healthy alternatives like fruits and natural juices. She also underscored the importance of reading nutritional information to avoid exceeding the recommended daily sugar limit.
She emphasised the need to regulate when sweets are consumed and avoid offering them as a reward, as this reinforces psychological attachment to them. Additionally, she recommended promoting healthy behaviours such as brushing teeth after meals and staying physically active during Eid.
Regarding the ingredients used in sweets, Dr Alya advised avoiding products with harmful additives like artificial colours, sweeteners and preservatives — including tartrazine, aspartame, sodium benzoate and hydrogenated fats — due to their potentially negative effects on children's health. She noted that the maximum recommended sugar intake for children aged 2 to 18 should not exceed 25 grammes per day, but recent studies have shown that over 81 per cent of children exceed this limit, raising concerns about early-onset obesity and increased body mass index.
When buying sweets for children, parents need to distinguish between a safe product and a healthy one. All products entering the Omani market or produced locally must be safe according to inspections regulation, but that doesn't mean they are beneficial for all children from a health perspective.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
EID CELEBRATIONS — ENSURE SAFE AND DELICIOUS BBQ
Every year, Eid Al Adha arrives to bring Omani families together in a moment filled with warmth and togetherness around tables laden with delicious dishes, most notably the Omani barbecue namely shuwa and mashakeek. Courtyards and yards across Oman come alive with the crackling sounds of burning charcoal and the fragrant aroma of spices. However, amidst these beautiful moments, some incorrect habits may lurk that could turn the joy of Eid into hidden health hazards, especially during barbecue preparation. To ensure you enjoy every bite without worry, experts at the Food Safety and Quality Center at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources have provided essential tips to consider. Many people use aluminium foil to wrap and grill meat, unaware of the potential health risks when it's exposed to high heat, particularly if the meat is marinated with vinegar, lemon, or spices. Aluminium may react with these ingredients and leach into the food. Some studies indicate that the accumulation of aluminium in the body could be linked to long-term health problems. To avoid this, experts recommend using safer alternatives like natural plant leaves (such as banana leaves) or parchment paper, which not only add unique flavour but also protect the food from harmful reactions. Heat-resistant cooking bags or glass or ceramic dishes are also recommended, especially if cooking in the oven, as they provide both safety and flavour. No Eid celebration in Oman is complete without grilled mashakeek and lamb chops, which families prepare with various spices. But that enticing sight of meat turning a delicious golden brown on the grill can hide health hazards. When meat burns at high temperatures, dangerous compounds like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can form and these have been linked to increased risks of diseases like cancer over the long term. To reduce these risks, experts advise raising the grill grate slightly to avoid direct flames and marinating the meat with antioxidants such as garlic and rosemary, which help reduce the formation of these harmful compounds. It's also recommended to flip the meat regularly to cook it evenly without burning the edges. Additionally, removing excess fat before grilling can help reduce smoke production. HIDDEN ENEMY Sometimes, fat drips onto the charcoal during grilling, producing smoke laden with chemicals that can settle on the food unnoticed, especially if the charcoal contains synthetic additives or chemicals. This smoke can introduce harmful substances to the meat, which might then enter the body. To reduce these risks, experts recommend using natural, additive-free charcoal and avoiding intense flames, as the resulting smoke may carry harmful pollutants. It's also best to maintain a reasonable distance between the meat and the burning charcoal to minimise contact with rising smoke. Experts also advise allowing the charcoal to burn thoroughly until it becomes ember-like, free of flames, to reduce smoke to the lowest level possible. Dr Reem al Zaabi emphasised that grilling is one of the preferred methods for cooking meat, as it helps remove some of the fat in the meat, making it a healthier option if prepared correctly. However, she also cautioned against letting the meat reach the point of burning, as this could pose significant health risks. She stressed the importance of careful grilling to avoid these dangers. She added that a balanced meal is essential to reduce potential harm from consuming grilled meat, through side dishes like fiber-rich salads, which should be a staple on the Eid table. She also urged people to limit their intake of carbonated drinks and replace them with water flavoured with lemon slices, as this can help reduce cholesterol levels in the body. She further recommended drinking green tea, which has benefits for digestion and helps lower cholesterol, making it a healthy choice after Eid meals. BLURB No Eid celebration in Oman is complete without grilled mashakeek and lamb chops, which families prepare with various spices. But that enticing sight of meat turning a delicious golden brown on the grill can hide health hazards.
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
An Omani Novel That Delves Into the Depths of Human Anxiety
By Arwa al Hashimi In the quiet, sun-drenched villages of Oman, a pioneering voice emerges from the desert sands—Zahran Alqasmi, whose novel Al-Ru' (meaning 'The Shadow') is redefining contemporary Middle Eastern literature. Unlike conventional narratives rooted in political upheaval or cultural revival, Alqasmi's work plunges deep into the labyrinthine corridors of the human psyche, inviting readers into a landscape haunted less by external conflicts and more by the intangible fears that reside within us all. Al-Ru' is not a story told with shock or spectacle but a delicate exploration of fear as an enduring presence. At its heart is Mahjan, a modest school bus driver living in a remote Omani village, who, seeking solace and purpose, tends to his late mother's neglected farm. His act of reclamation begins innocuously—a simple scarecrow built to keep away pests. Yet, this unassuming figure, which Mahjan christens Al-Ru', morphs into something far more complex: a symbol of dread that slowly infiltrates his consciousness and, through his eyes, the entire community. The novel's brilliance lies in its poetic restraint. Alqasmi does not elevate fear into grotesque horror but gently reveals its subtle power—how it seeps into solitude, distorts perception, and ultimately isolates the individual. The scarecrow, crafted with care, becomes more than mere straw and cloth; it embodies Mahjan's suppressed anxieties, ancestral guilt, and universal vulnerability. As the story unfolds, Alqasmi deftly explores how societal reactions—whispered accusations of sorcery, suspicion, and madness—serve as reflections of collective fear and intolerance. In contrast to Middle Eastern writers like Syrian novelist Nihad Sirees, whose works tend to address societal upheaval and political dissent directly, Alqasmi's Al-Ru' offers an inward journey. Sirees' narratives are often woven with sharp critique of authority, presenting societal struggles in loud, confrontational tones. Conversely, Alqasmi employs a quiet, lyrical voice—one that whispers rather than shouts, inviting introspection rather than activism. His novel shares thematic kinship with Hanan al-Shaykh's explorations of internal conflict and mental disquiet, yet it remains rooted distinctively in Omani rural life, a setting that embodies tradition, isolation, and resilience. But how does this compare with international literature on internal fear and shadowy spectres of the mind? Consider Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, a quintessential modern Gothic that examines haunted spaces and psychological fragility. While Jackson's haunted house is an externalised projection of inner turmoil, Alqasmi's Al-Ru' transforms the internal fears into an externalised entity—an embodied shadow that haunts not just Mahjan but, more broadly, societal perceptions of normalcy and madness. The comparison highlights how different literary traditions grapple with fear—some viscerally external, others subtly internalised—and yet both remain compelling in their exploration of human fragility. Alqasmi's distinctive achievement is weaving local Omani customs and landscapes into a narrative that resonates on a universal level. The palm groves, dusty paths, and village rituals anchor the story in a tangible reality, yet the psychological undercurrents elevate it into a reflection on the fragility of the human mind and the universality of fear. Through minimal but deliberate language, Alqasmi crafts a lyrical, contemplative style that allows readers to step into Mahjan's world—seeing, feeling, and questioning alongside him. His prose, measured and evocative, echoes the slow unfolding of internal chaos. Silence becomes a powerful motif—what is left unsaid, what is implied beneath the surface, and how the absence of words can be more telling than their presence. The novel's pacing mirrors Mahjan's internal unraveling; it invites readers to dwell in uncertain spaces and contemplate the shadows they themselves carry. What elevates Al-Ru' beyond a mere psychological novel is its subtle critique of societal response to deviation and difference. The community's suspicion and fear of Mahjan's creation reflect broader themes of alienation and otherness—a mirror to how societies often reject what they do not understand. This dynamic is echoed in Flannery O'Connor's Southern Gothic tales, where outsider figures and internal fears are central. Yet, where O'Connor's stories grit and shock with their intense symbolism, Alqasmi's prose exudes quiet power, whispering truths in a tone more contemplative than confrontational. Thus, Zahran Alqasmi's Al-Ru' stands as a landmark example of Middle Eastern literature's evolution—an intricate dialogue between tradition and modernity, locality and universality. It elevates the genre of psychological fiction with its poetic subtlety and cultural depth, positioning Alqasmi among contemporary writers who dare to explore the unspoken fears lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
This Eid, let us grow with grace
They stood in a row, robes a little too long, shoes slightly untied, voices carrying more truth than they knew as they sang: 'One step closer to being the best that I can be.' I had the honour of placing diplomas in their small hands, one after another. Each child beamed as if the paper held the world. And maybe, in their eyes, it did. I was the guest of honour at a kindergarten graduation, but I left feeling like the student. There was something in their quiet pride, in their unfiltered joy, that made me pause. Growth, I was reminded, is not always loud. Often, it is gentle. Sometimes, it sings. That whisper of becoming followed me into another room a few days later, this time filled with women. They were bright, bold and curious. We gathered for a mentoring session designed to stir reflection, not just instruction. What does it mean to lead? What does it mean to grow? And what happens when we stop waiting for permission to step into who we already are? The conversation turned inward, then rippled outward. We spoke of the small decisions that shape us. Of how leadership is not always found at the front of a room, but often in the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments when we dare to act from purpose. Some women spoke about reclaiming their voice after years of silence. Others talked about navigating ambition in places that still expect restraint. Many simply admitted they were tired of doing it all alone, carrying strength like armor no one what moved me most was not the polished insights. It was the honesty. The shared sighs. The collective realisation that growth can be uncertain, non-linear and still entirely worthwhile. Now, as Eid Al Adha draws near, I find myself returning to those two rooms. One was filled with children just beginning their journey. The other was filled with women still rewriting theirs. Eid is a time of celebration, but also of surrender. It is a moment to remember that giving is a form of becoming and that sacrifice is not always about loss, but about space. Making space for something greater. A deeper purpose. A clearer self. It is easy to measure our lives by milestones. But lately, I am more interested in the in-between. The quiet steps. The tender pivots. The uncelebrated moments that slowly, patiently, turn us into who we are meant to be. This Eid, I hope we can soften the need to arrive and instead honour the journey. I hope we speak to ourselves more kindly, ask for support without guilt and show up with open hearts. Not only for others, but for ourselves too. We are all still becoming. One lesson at a time. One choice at a time. One step closer. To the children who reminded me of joy and the women who reminded me of courage, thank you. You reminded me that growth is not a finish line. It is a daily return to what matters. Eid Mubarak. May this season bring you closer to who you already are and all you are still becoming. BLURB Eid is a time of celebration, but also of surrender. It is a moment to remember that giving is a form of becoming and that sacrifice is not always about loss, but about space. Making space for something greater. A deeper purpose. A clearer self.
