
Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued as viral Dubai-style chocolate bar recalled in UK
The Noesis Schokolade Love of Dubai bar should not be bought or eaten, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said, especially by those with a peanut allergy.
Although it is not marked on the list of ingredients, the chocolate bar contains peanuts, the FSA explains. This means it poses a 'serious risk' to those with allergies to the nut.
The agency adds that it has been unable to contact the manufacturer of the products, Black Sea Trading Ltd, and so is calling on distributors to pull the Noesis bar from shelves.
Advice from the FSA reads: 'Don't buy this product, and if you have bought it, don't eat it, especially if you have a peanut allergy.
'Dispose of the product at home and get in touch with your local Trading Standards in Great Britain or Environmental Health Officers in Northern Ireland, to let them know where you purchased it.'
The 'Love of Dubai' chocolate bar is inspired by a viral food trend that arose in 2024 and has continued. It centres around chocolate bars with a creamy pistachio filling, first created by a chocolatier in Dubai.
Receiving millions of views on social media platform TikTok, the popularity of the bar has grown so intense that the price of pistachio kernels globally has been pushed up. Experts say that, in the year to April, prices rose from $7.65 to $10.30 a pound.
Last week, the FSA issued a related warning over the proliferation of imported Dubai chocolate bars for sale in the UK.
The agency said that some of these products were likely to not include a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, due to not being originally intended for sale in the UK.
The bars could also contain additives and colours not allowed on the UK market, it added.
Experts from the watchdog are currently surveying and sampling the products to determine the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities to raise awareness.
Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said that the 'vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies.'
'If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you'd use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.
'UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on food.gov.uk.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Business Events drives continued growth in H1 2025
Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau, has continued to accelerate the growth of Dubai's business events ecosystem and support the city's tourism growth in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, securing 249 successful bids in the first six months of 2025 to host events through 2025 till 2029, including major congresses and high-profile incentive programmes. This marks a 29% increase in bid submissions compared to the same period last year, with a total of 391 bids submitted year-to-date and a conversion rate of 64%, up from 58% in H1 2024. These confirmed wins are expected to bring 127,087 delegates, a 35% year-on-year increase in delegate numbers, further enhancing Dubai's global standing as a hub for international business events and the emirate's knowledge economy. This performance underlines the overwhelmingly strong response to Dubai's destination proposition and global MICE positioning. The successful bids will enable Dubai to host distinguished international conferences, congresses, and incentive meetings, with a pipeline extending into 2029. This growth reinforces the importance of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which is focused on doubling the size of the city's economy by 2033 and cementing its status among the world's top three cities to visit, live, and work in. Through strategic collaboration, DBE, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, worked closely with stakeholders, partners, and local associations, including the Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors, a network of UAE-based key opinion leaders, industry professionals, and government representatives working to bring international business events within their sectors to Dubai and secure high-profile events. The Al Safeer Ambassador Programme, in partnership with the Dubai Association Centre, plays a vital role in strengthening the city's global reputation as a premier destination for meetings, incentives, and conferences, contributing significantly to bid development and success. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'Guided by the country's wise leadership, Dubai's achievement during the first half of 2025 is a testament to the city's commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration in business events. In collaboration with our stakeholders and partners, we continue to drive the D33 vision and make Dubai a knowledge and business global hub. The diversity and extent of events booked this year confirm Dubai's infrastructure of international standards, accessibility, and market insight. In future years, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to event organisers and delegates, and to establishing Dubai's leadership position on the international stage.' DBE's active engagement in the international market contributed to its strong performance, with teams conducting five sales missions across Asia (China, Japan and South Korea, India) as well as Europe (France and Belgium) and North America, engaging over 50 stakeholders and partners as well as representing Dubai in key strategic industry trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt during H1 2025. These persistent activities have kept Dubai at the top of the minds of global event organisers and garnered the interests of decision-makers and delegates worldwide across core sectors. Dubai's global stature as a preferred business events destination was further underlined by new accolades in 2025. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Dubai number one globally for highest attendee number per association meeting and the city retained its number one spot in the Middle East and Africa for total number of association meetings hosted. Meanwhile, Cvent confirmed Dubai's leading position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the region. These recognitions affirm the city's ability to successfully and seamlessly accommodate the needs of international organisers across all event types. Dubai's growing appeal is also reflected in its success across corporate, incentive, and association segments. Notable wins during the first half of the year include the 2029 edition of Sibos, which is expected to attract 12,000 delegates, the 2027 1st Conjoint Meeting of the Cervical Spine Research Society - Asia Pacific and Europe with 800 delegates, and the 2026 edition of the World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG), which will bring 2,000 delegates. Other association events include the 2026 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat International Conference with 1,500 delegates and the 2026 International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) with 1,000 delegates. In the corporate and incentive space, Dubai secured the 2026 Africa Energy Forum with 2,000 delegates, the Herbalife Multiple Market Incentive with 2,400 delegates, and the Planisware Incentive with 1,300 delegates. Returning events include Token2049 in 2026 with 15,000 delegates. Google will also call Dubai its home for two of its flagship conferences in 2026 and 2028, with 4,000 delegates each year. These achievements were further supported by DBE's Al Safeer Programme, which contributed to 51 ambassador-led bids during the period, winning 32 to date. Through year-round engagement and close collaboration with hotels, venues, Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and other service providers, DBE continues to attract prestigious business events to Dubai. The bureau also hosted study missions and participated in international events such as IMEX Frankfurt, providing meeting planners and industry stakeholders the opportunity to experience Dubai's dynamic business events infrastructure first-hand. Through the rest of the year, DBE will continue to participate in key strategic trade shows and events including Epex, IMEX Las Vegas, IBTM Barcelona, the ICCA Middle East Summit in Bahrain and ICCA global congress in Porto, joined by partners and stakeholders to grow collaborative efforts and drive Dubai's business events positioning further.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE emerges as top global safe-haven for wealth in new tax index
The UAE has emerged as the world's most attractive destination for wealth preservation, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai topping the newly released Tax Friendly Cities Index 2025 by global mobility platform Multipolitan. The report underscores the UAE's status as a global hub for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking stability, fiscal efficiency, and long-term wealth protection amid growing global tax pressures. Multipolitan's 'Wealth Report 2025: The Taxed Generation' ranks 164 cities based on their statutory taxation frameworks, legal governance, and treaty networks. Abu Dhabi takes the top spot, followed closely by Dubai in second place, outperforming traditional financial centres such as Singapore (3rd), Zurich (6th), and Hong Kong (7th). The UAE's achievement underscores its role as a magnet for global capital and talent in an era when rising taxes, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting regulatory landscapes are redefining global wealth strategies. Abu Dhabi leads due to its zero per cent income tax regime, relatively low property transfer fees, strong legal infrastructure, and consistent policy environment. Dubai's second-place ranking reflects its unparalleled international connectivity, broad treaty coverage, and a regulatory ecosystem that supports transparent wealth management and investor confidence. Speaking on the findings, Nirbhay Handa, CEO of Multipolitan, said, 'Wealth isn't just being built anymore — it's being defended. Geography has become the ultimate strategy. The UAE is at the forefront of this shift, offering not just low tax rates but something even more important — predictability, legal clarity, and institutional trust.' The Index arrives at a time when high-tax jurisdictions in Europe and North America are tightening regulations on wealth, inheritance, and capital flows. In contrast, cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer a rare combination of low-tax environments, asset security, and regulatory foresight — a mix that increasingly appeals to globally mobile families and corporate leaders. The report also highlights the broader strength of the Gulf region in shaping the future of wealth mobility. Five additional GCC cities made the top 20 — Manama (4th), Doha (5th), Kuwait City (8th), Riyadh (12th), and Muscat (17th) — driven by tax incentives, economic diversification strategies, and growing financial sector sophistication. With seven of the top 20 tax-friendly cities located in the GCC, the region's reputation as a rising force in wealth preservation is now firmly established. In addition to taxation metrics, Multipolitan's report introduces two complementary indexes that provide a multidimensional lens on global resilience. In the Wealth Preservation Cities Index (2015–2025), Zug, Hong Kong, and Basel ranked highest for safeguarding purchasing power during a volatile decade. Abu Dhabi and Dubai placed 22nd and 24th, respectively, indicating growing maturity and increasing investor confidence in long-term capital security. Meanwhile, in the Smart & Sustainable Cities Index 2025, Wellington, Copenhagen, and Singapore topped the rankings. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, ranked 23rd and 25th, are quickly climbing the ladder as they invest in climate resilience and digital infrastructure — cornerstones of future wealth sustainability. According to Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report, Dubai recorded the highest global influx of ultra-rich individuals, with over 4,500 new HNWIs relocating to the city in the past year alone. This was driven by its appealing visa regimes, lifestyle offerings, and safe-haven status during geopolitical upheavals. Abu Dhabi, with its long-term investor residency schemes and rapidly expanding private banking sector, is also gaining traction among institutional wealth managers and multi-family offices. The Multipolitan report includes expert commentary from former leaders at EY, Deloitte, and BDO, as well as international tax lawyers and family office strategists. Collectively, these perspectives paint a picture of a new global order in wealth planning — one where jurisdictional agility, smart structures, and proactive compliance are becoming essential. Topics addressed range from how American expatriates are restructuring their holdings, to how AI is transforming global tax strategy, to Portugal and Malta's rising appeal as complementary wealth hubs. What sets Abu Dhabi and Dubai apart, experts note, is their ability to combine traditional financial stability with innovation and long-term governance vision. With no personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax, the UAE continues to attract wealth creators seeking to shield their legacies from policy volatility. Moreover, the country's rapidly growing network of double tax treaties — now exceeding 140 — ensures international compliance and ease of asset mobility. As governments worldwide increase scrutiny on offshore structures and adopt transparency standards like the OECD's Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the UAE's strategy of aligning competitive taxation with robust regulatory practices has earned global credibility.


Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Asia's largest institutional fund platform Gordian Capital plans move to Dubai
Gordian Capital, Asia's first and largest institutional cross-border fund platform and fund solutions provider, which was acquired by the Luxembourg-based IQ-EQ on Wednesday, plans to expand and set up operations in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The move, which is expected to significantly enhance its Middle East operations, is subject to approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Gordian Capital is Asia's only fully-licensed institutional fund platform operating in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, the continent's three key financial centres. It is fully licensed and regulated with MAS in Singapore, SEC in the USA, SFC in Hong Kong, FSA in Japan, and ASIC in Australia. The group is also required to meet guidelines and registration requirements with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Commission) and CBI (Central Bank of Ireland) as both an investor and investment manager. As a key regulated infrastructure provider, the company is already part of the ecosystem of prime brokers, executing brokers, fund administrators, legal, tax and audit firms with operations in Asia and, subject to regulatory approval, expects to also become a key market provider in, and help expand the DIFC ecosystem. The firm has launched over 115 funds across both private and public strategies, including private equity, real estate, venture capital, private credit, infrastructure, trade finance, and multiple hedge fund strategies, as well as long-only and absolute return strategies. It works with some of the world's largest general partners and asset managers, supporting them as they both invest and expand into Asia. Almost 96 per cent of its US$17 billion assets under management are from institutional investors. Mark Voumard, Founder of the group and CEO of Gordian Capital Singapore, commented: 'The DIFC has seen and continues to experience strong growth in the number of managers across alternatives and traditional strategies, who have established an operation. 'Going cross-border can have its challenges, primarily in terms of speed to market, as well as meeting rigorous initial and ongoing operational and regulatory standards. This is where, provided we obtain regulatory approval, with the group's history of success and growth in Asia over the last 20 years, we plan to provide a highly regulated market entry pathway and infrastructure for institutional quality GPs and managers seeking to establish a regulated presence in DIFC. 'We have been given a warm welcome by the pro-business, market-friendly, and highly professional team at DIFC and, subject to receiving regulatory approval, expect to work closely with them to help develop DIFC even further as an asset management centre.' Gordian's planned Fund Platform offering in DIFC, subject to approval by the DFSA, would leverage the company's expertise as the manager for experienced investment professionals, who require an institutional level regulated, physical and operational fund infrastructure. Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, added: 'We are pleased that Gordian Capital has announced its intention to establish a presence in Dubai International Financial Centre. Their decision reflects the strength of DIFC as the region's leading financial hub with unparalleled depth in asset management, attracting new firms and business models that access the fast-growing markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.' Gordian Capital joins IQ-EQ, rebrands by 2026 Meanwhile, IQ-EQ has received regulatory approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) and is expected to close its acquisition of Gordion shortly, subject to customary closing conditions. CEO and co-founder Voumard will continue to lead the business and will join IQ-EQ's Asia senior leadership team, ensuring continuity of the day-to-day delivery of services. The business will go to market as Gordian Capital, part of IQ-EQ, until the second quarter of 2026, after which the business will rebrand as IQ-EQ. Mark Pesco, Group Chief Executive Officer at IQ-EQ, commented: 'This acquisition represents a significant milestone in IQ-EQ's growth strategy, further solidifying our strong market position in the Asia Pacific region. 'Asia has long been a key region for IQ-EQ, and the addition of Gordian Capital, alongside our recent acquisition of AMAL Group, underscores our commitment to expanding our presence and capabilities in this dynamic market. The combined expertise and reach of our expert teams will enable us to offer unparalleled services and support, fostering growth and innovation across the region.' Established in 2004 by capital markets professionals and alternatives industry veterans in Asia, Gordian Capital initially launched its first operating subsidiary in Singapore in 2005.