Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 12/17/2003

**GAIN Report Number:** KU3004

KU3004

**Kuwait**

**Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards**

**Country Report**

**2003**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)ATO: Michael T. Henney

U.S. Consulate General, Dubai, U.A.E.

**Prepared by:**

ATO: Hovaguim Kizirian

**Report Highlights:**

**Kuwait enforces food shelf life standards on 44 food products,
recognizes manufacturer- defined self-life for all other food products,
requires Arabic language or English/Arabic language, and accepts
stickers as labels. On September 1, 2003 Kuwait implemented the GCC's
Unified Customs Law, imposing a flat 5-percent import duty on
practically all processed food products while leaving exempt from duty
live animals, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, grains, flours, tea,
sugar, spices and seeds for planting.**

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Dubai \[TC1\]

\[KU\]

Table of Contents

[KUWAIT: FOOD IMPORT REGULATIONS 3](#kuwait-food-import-regulations)

[1. GENERAL FOOD LAWS 3](#general-food-laws)

[2. LABELING REQUIREMENTS 4](#labeling-requirements)

[3. FOOD ADDITIVES 6](#food-additives)

[5. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
6](#other-regulations-and-requirements)

[6. OTHER STANDARDS 7](#other-standards)

[7. COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARK LAWS 7](#copyrighttrademark-laws)

[8. IMPORT PROCEDURES 7](#import-procedures)

[9. APPENDICES 9](#appendices)

[**APPENDIX A. SHELF‑LIFE STANDARDS
9**](#appendix-a.-shelflife-standards)

[**APPENDIX B. LIST OF PERMITTED FOOD COLORS
12**](#appendix-b.-list-of-permitted-food-colors)

[**APPENDIX C. REGULATORY AGENCIES / USEFUL CONTACTS
15**](#appendix-c.-regulatory-agencies-useful-contacts)

# KUWAIT: FOOD IMPORT REGULATIONS

**Last Updated: December 17, 2003 (Section 1, Para 7 and Section 9
Appendix C Revised)**

**DISCLAIMER:** This report has been prepared by the Agricultural Trade
Office of the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Dubai, UAE for U.S.
exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While every
possible care has been taken in the preparation of this report, the
information provided might be dated, as some import requirements are
subject to frequent change. It is highly recommended that U.S. exporters
ensure that all necessary customs clearance requirements have been
verified with local authorities through your foreign importer before the
sale conditions are finalized. FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS
ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY THE
COUNTRY OF IMPORT AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.

# 1. GENERAL FOOD LAWS

Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which also
includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi
Arabia. GCC member states are working hard to harmonize food import
standards, including label and shelf‑life regulations, by the end of
2005.

The GCC adoption of Gulf Standard (GS) 150/1993, Part I was a
significant step towards regulatory harmonization. This standard
established region-wide recognized shelf‑life standards for a number of
food products.

On January 5, 1997, Kuwait\'s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued
Ministerial Decree (MD) 146/1996, recognizing GCC shelf‑life standards
for 44 out of the 75 products covered under GS 150/1993, Part I. (See
Appendix A for a list of the products covered under MD 146.)

As of September 1998, Kuwait Municipality recognized a six-month shelf
life for fresh table eggs instead of 3 months as stipulated in MD
146/1996. U.S. suppliers had considered the 3-month shelf-life
requirement extremely difficult to meet.

Kuwait recognizes manufacturer‑recommended shelf‑life durations for
those food products not identified under MD 146/1996. Many Kuwaiti
traders, however, require that all imported food products comply with
the GCC shelf‑life standard(GS 150/1993), even those products not under
MD 146/1996. Regardless of which standard is applied, Kuwait officials
will bar entry of any product with less than half its shelf life
remaining at time of import.

On January 1, 2003, the GCC implemented the \"Unified Customs Law and
Single Customs Tariff\" (UCL). Under the UCL, a unified customs tariff
of five percent is applied on practically all processed food products.
Also, under the UCL, a single entry point policy for all products
imported in the GCC countries was approved. In other words, a product
entering one GCC country would be assessed the five percent duty only
once and be credited as such if transshipped to another GCC market.

Kuwait ratified the UCL in April 2003 and began implementation as of
September 1, 2003. Kuwait exempts live animals, fresh fruits and
vegetables, seafood, grains, flours, tea, sugar, spices and seeds for
planting from any import duty imposed by this law.

The single entry point policy approved under the UCL, however, has not
been implemented by all GCC countries to date due to a variety of
reasons, including disparity of food control procedures, quality of
health laboratories and procedures for dividing tariff proceeds among
member countries.

Kuwaiti officials appear to be willing to work with companies to ensure
that food and agricultural imports are not disrupted. For example,
officials are willing to approve food labels prior to product export.
Pre‑export approval can significantly speed import clearance,
particularly for new‑to‑market products and brands.

The Department of Standards and Metrology, Public Authority for Industry
(PAI), in cooperation with other concerned departments, including the
Kuwait Municipality (KUM), the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the
Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAFR) and
the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), are responsible for
establishing local food safety regulations. Regulations become law only
after they are officially announced in a ministerial decree and
published in the official gazette of Kuwait. Usually, a grace period of
up to six months is granted prior to enforcement of any new regulations.

Regulatory enforcement is divided between the KUM, MOPH and PAAFR. The
Imported Food Department, KUM, is responsible for visually inspecting
all imported food products, for verifying compliance with label
regulations and for drawing samples for laboratory analysis to be
conducted by the MOPH. In general, new‑to‑market products and products
that have failed past inspections are subject to thorough inspection.
Laboratory testing may take 7‑10 days depending on the tests required.
In some cases, total testing may take 2-4 weeks to be completed.

Compliance disputes are handled by a \"Food Committee\" comprised of
representatives from the KUM, MOPH, PAI, PAAFR, KISR and the Kuwait
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The committee determines the validity
of a complaint and can order re‑inspection, if found to be warranted.
Consignments with minor labeling infractions may be granted a one‑time
waiver, provided the products are found to be safe for human
consumption.

Live animals and plants, feedstuffs and horticultural products, such as
seeds for planting, are inspected at port-of-entry by the PAAFR, which
decides if quarantine is warranted. Feedstuff samples are routinely
analyzed at a specialized PAAFR laboratory.

To facilitate entry, suppliers are strongly encouraged to work closely
with their local importers to obtain pre‑export approval for labels,
particularly for new‑to‑market products, and to ensure that their
products meet all local import regulations.

# 2. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

Label regulations are outlined in Kuwait Standard (KS) 42/1973, which is
identical to GS 9/1984. Under KS 42, food labels must include the
following information, in Arabic, on the original label or on the
primary packaging:

‑ Product and brand name

‑ Country of origin

‑ Ingredients, in descending order of proportion

‑ Additives, if any

‑ Origin of animal fat (e.g., beef fat), if applicable

‑ Net content in metric units (volume in case of liquids)

‑ Production and expiry dates (English digits only are also permitted,
as is Arabic/English)

‑ Manufacturer\'s and/or packer\'s name and address

‑ Special storage, transportation and preparation instructions, if any.

Bilingual labels are permitted, provided one of the languages is Arabic
(e.g. Arabic/English). Arabic language stickers are permitted in lieu of
original Arabic or bilingual labels, provided the sticker:

1)  is extremely difficult to remove;

2)  includes all required label information;

3)  does not cover required information on the original label; and

4)  does not contradict information on the original label.

In fact, local officials consider such stickers to be labels.

Production and expiry (P/E) dates must be engraved, embossed, printed or
stamped directly onto the original label or primary packaging at the
time of production, using indelible ink. As noted above, these dates may
be printed in English only, Arabic only or English/Arabic. These dates
may not be printed on a sticker. U.S. bar coding is not permitted in
lieu of P/E dates and a label may not contain more than one set of P/E
dates. The dates must be printed in digit form (no text is permitted) in
the following order, depending on the shelf‑life of the product:

‑ Day/month/year for products with a shelf‑life of 6 months or less;

‑ Month/year for products with a shelf‑life longer than 6 months.

For example, 1/1/2001 is permitted for a product with a shelf‑life of 6
months or less; 1/JAN/2001 is not acceptable and will be rejected.

Since September 1998, Kuwait Municipality has required that all P/E
dates for food products include all 4 digits for the year rather than 2
digits. However, as most food suppliers could not comply, this
regulation was not enforced.

As noted earlier, Kuwait enforces GCC shelf‑life standards for 44 food
products (Appendix A) and recognizes manufacturer‑established shelf‑life
standards for all other food products. Many importers, however, require
imported products to be in compliance with GCC shelf‑life standards,
even those not officially enforced by Kuwaiti officials, to provide them
flexibility in marketing the product within the region.

All special food products, such as diet, health and infant foods and
artificial sweeteners must be pre‑registered with the Nutrition Unit of
the Ministry of Public Health. Labels for these products must contain
detailed information about ingredients (e.g., vitamins, minerals,
supplements, food colors, preservatives, etc.), nutritive value per 100
grams, health warnings if any, and instructions for proper use and
storage. The U.S. nutritional panel is permitted.

Special food products must be displayed separately from other foods in
retail outlets, in well‑marked locations. Media advertising for these
products requires prior approval from

the MOPH. General requirements for packaged special foods are covered
under KS 859/1997 which is identical to GS 654/1996.

Products shipped in bulk or institutional‑sized containers must comply
with all label requirements. P/E dates, however, are not required for
certain products including fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh bakery
items and products deemed to have extremely long shelf‑life durations,
such as salt and sugar. Production dates are recommended, however, for
these products and often are requested by an importer.

Products arriving clearly marked, as samples not intended for sale, are
exempt from labeling regulations.

# 

# 3. FOOD ADDITIVES

In general, local regulations governing the use of food additives are
based on Codex Alimentarius standards. According to trade contacts,
rarely is a U.S. food product rejected by Kuwaiti officials due to the
unauthorized use of an additive.

Color additives are regulated under KS 214/1999, which is identical to
GS 23/1998. Under this standard, the common name and index number of all
food color additives contained in a product, must be noted on the
product label. European \"E\" numbers are permitted. (See Appendix B for
a list of color additives currently approved by Kuwait).

Other food additives such as preservatives, flavorings, antioxidants,
emulsifiers and others are regulated under KS 147/1994, which is
identical to the Codex Alimentarius standard. Sweeteners allowed for use
in food products are listed in KS 1176/1999, which is identical to GS
995/1198.

**4. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS**

Local regulations governing pesticide and other contaminant residue
levels are based on Codex Alimentarius standards. Specifically, KS
514/1994 regulates pesticide and other contaminant residues in food
products

# 5. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

All food consignments must be accompanied by a health certificate issued
by the appropriate government agency in the country of origin, attesting
to the product\'s fitness for human consumption. In addition, all meat
and poultry products must be accompanied by an Islamic (Halal) slaughter
certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in the country of
origin. Islamic (Halal) slaughter requirements are covered under KS
1174/1999 which is identical to GS 993/1998.

Inspection officials routinely check for salmonella in poultry products.
A shipment will be rejected if salmonella is detected in more than 20
percent of the tested samples.

The importation of alcoholic beverages and pork, and food products
containing alcohol or pork, is prohibited. In addition, it is prohibited
to import a product with a label containing a picture of alcohol or
pork, or a recipe requiring these products even though the imported
product is free of these ingredients. Since late 2000, the importing of
non-alcoholic beer has been permitted on condition that the alcohol
level does not exceed 0.05 percent.

There are no special packaging or container size requirements for food
products. However, boxes for fresh fruits and vegetables are regulated
by KS 65/1992, which is identical to GS 124/1990.

The importation of irradiated food products is permitted, but the
product\'s label must clearly indicate that the product has been
irradiated. KS 1171/1999, which is identical to GS 988/1998, sets the
maximum irradiation level permitted with different food products.

Local food safety inspectors randomly check food products already in the
market. In addition to visually inspecting labels, samples are taken and
analyzed to ensure that product ingredients match those listed on the
label. These inspections are conducted without the knowledge of the
importer. If a discrepancy is found, the importer is informed and the
product removed from the market and destroyed at the importer\'s
expense. If the infraction is severe (e.g. traces of pork are found) or
an importer has been found to have intentionally altered or falsified a
product\'s label, the product may be banned from import for a specified
period of time, usually six to twelve months.

# 6. OTHER STANDARDS

There are no special requirements regulating the import of food samples.
Samples destined for food shows and other types of promotional events
are exempt from local label and shelf‑life regulations. Such shipments,
however, must still be accompanied by a health certificate, as well as
an invoice noting that the product is not for sale, is a sample whose
commercial value is zero.

# 7. COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARK LAWS

In 1999 Kuwait passed its first copyright law. In 1998 Kuwait joined the
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Copyright holders are
permitted to collect civil damages from violators.

On January 14, 2001, Kuwait implemented new patent and trademark
legislation, bringing it into compliance with the WTO agreement on Trade
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Brand
registration is recommended to protect both the importer and foreign
supplier against parallel imports and copycat labels. The Ministry of
Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Trademarks Section, is responsible for
product registration, which usually can be completed within a short
period of time.

Agency agreements are regulated by Commercial Law 36/1964 and Commercial
Law 68/1980.

# 8. IMPORT PROCEDURES

Shuwaikh port in Kuwait City and Shuaiba port about 25 miles south of
the city are the primary entry ports for food products. Both ports boast
state‑of‑the‑art equipment. Many fresh and chilled products are imported
via Kuwait International Airport, located a short distance from Kuwait
City. Fresh produce imported from nearby Middle East countries arrives
by refrigerated trucks via land entry points on the Saudi Arabian
border.

Typically consignments clear customs within 2-3 days. However health
clearance can take 7‑10 days. Depending on type of test required, health
clearance can take upwards of two to four weeks. Fresh products,
however, usually are cleared within 24 hours of arrival. Once customs
clearance is obtained, an importer may elect to warehouse a consignment
under bond, pending health clearance.

The following documents are required for food imports:

‑ Commercial invoice

‑ Packing list

‑ Bill of Lading

‑ Health certificate

‑ Halal slaughter certificate (for meat and meat products)

‑ Certificate of Origin

The Halal and Country of Origin certificates must be notarized by a
local or a National/Arab Chamber of Commerce as well as a Kuwaiti
diplomatic mission in the United States.

A consignment rejected for food safety reasons must be re‑exported (but
not to another GCC country), or destroyed, within six months of arrival.

As noted earlier, an importer may appeal the rejection of a shipment to
a special committee comprised of representatives from various government
ministries. If after additional testing, the consignment is again
rejected, the appeal is closed. If, however, the consignment is
determined fit for human consumption, a third round of tests would be
conducted to verify results of the second testing. If those results
remain unchanged, the shipment is released. If the results are negative,
the shipment is rejected and the appeal closed. An importer may store a
consignment in his warehouse under bond, pending the outcome of an
appeal.

Products rejected for minor labeling infractions may be allowed entry
upon appeal. New‑to‑market and ethnic food products can be allowed entry
on a one‑time basis, despite minor labeling infractions. Infractions of
production/expiry date regulations (e.g., missing or incorrectly printed
dates or dates printed on stickers rather than original
labels/packaging) will result in rejection of the shipment.

# 9. APPENDICES

## 

## APPENDIX A. SHELF‑LIFE STANDARDS

Kuwait enforces GCC shelf‑life standards only for the following food
products.

**(1) Frozen foods (stored at temperatures not exceeding ‑18C):**

  ----------------- ------------------------- ------------- -------------
  **Product**       **Packing**               **Shelf       **Remarks**
                                              Life**        

  Ice cream         Suitable containers       12 months     

  Fruits            Suitable containers       12 months     

  French fries      Plastic bags              18 months     

  Eggs              Suitable containers       9 months      
  ----------------- ------------------------- ------------- -------------

(**2) Chilled foods (stored at temperatures from 0‑5C):**

  ----------------- ------------------------- ------------- -------------
  **Product**       **Packing**               **Shelf       **Remarks**
                                              Life**        

  Yogurt and        Suitable containers**,**  10 days       
  flavored yogurt   hermetically closed                     

  Heat treated      Suitable containers       6 weeks       
  yogurt                                                    

  Processed cheese  Non-metallic packages     18 months     

  Butter            Suitable containers       2 months      

  Margarine         Plastic sheet packages    3 months      
  ----------------- ------------------------- ------------- -------------

**(3) Packaged products that are stored at suitable temperatures in
well-ventilated stores:**

  ------------------- ------------------------ ------------- -------------
  **Product**         **Packing**              **Shelf       **Remarks**
                                               Life**        

  Canned meat         Sterilized metal         24 months     
                      containers                             

  Canned seafood      \" \"                    24 months     

  Evaporated milk     \" \"                    12 months     

  Full cream dried    \" \"                    18 months     
  milk                                                       

  Processed cheese    Metallic containers      18 months     

  Dried fruit juices  Suitable containers      18 months     

  Jams, jellies and   Cans or glass jars       24 months     
  marmalades                                                 

  Hot sauces          Glass containers         24 months     

  Pickles             Tightly sealed glass     18 months     
                      containers                             

  Breakfast cereals   Paper or aluminum foil   12 months     
  such as corn, wheat containers                             
  and rice flakes,                                           
  etc                                                        

  Dried milk‑based    Tightly sealed metallic  18 months     
  baby foods          containers or packed                   
                      under vacuum and                       
                      sterilized                             

  Fruit juices for    Tightly sealed glass     12 months     
  babies              containers, sterilized                 

  Powdered or         Carton containers lined  12 months     
  granulated baby     with aluminum foil                     
  foods prepared from                                        
  cereals, legumes,                                          
  fruits or                                                  
  vegetables, etc.                                           

                      Metallic containers                    
                      vacuum packed or in                    
                      inert gas and tightly                  
                      sealed                                 

  Cocoa powder        In metallic, glass or    24 months     
                      aluminum foil                          
                      containers, packed under               
                      vacuum or in inert gas                 

  Ground roasted      In metallic or aluminum  18 months     
  coffee              foil containers, packed                
                      under vacuum or in inert               
                      gas                                    

  Instant coffee      Metal or glass           24 months     
                      containers                             

                      Aluminum foil or special 12 months     
                      paper packs                            

  Cake mixes          Paper or aluminum foil   18 months     
                      packages                               

  Flour               Cloth bags               6 months      

  Macaroni (pasta     Carton containers or     24 months     
  products)           plastic bags                           

  Starch, all types   Paper or plastic         24 months     
                      packages                               

  Plain hard candies  Suitable containers      24 months     

  Enriched, fortified Suitable containers      12 months     
  hard candies                                               

  Powdered soups      Paper, plastic or        18 months     
                      aluminum foil containers               

  Vinegar, all types  Glass containers         24 months     

  Brown sugar         Paper or plastic bags    18 months     

  Halawa Tehiniah (an Metallic or plastic      12 months     
  Arabic sweet)       containers                             

                      Wrapped in paper or      6 months      
                      aluminum foil                          

  Tehina (sesame oil  Suitable containers      9 months      
  emulsion)                                                  
  ------------------- ------------------------ ------------- -------------

**(4) Food products that require specific storage temperatures:**

  ----------------- ------------- ------------------- ------------ -------------
  **Product**       **Packing**   **Storage           **Shelf      **Remarks**
                                  Condition**         Life**       

  Fresh beef and    Suitable      Temp. 0C to -2C     21 days from 
  buffalo meat      containers                        slaughter    
                                                      date         

  Fresh mutton and  Suitable      Temp. 0C to -2C     14 days from 
  goat meat         containers                        slaughter    
                                                      date         

  Vacuum packed     Plastic       Temp. 0C to -2C     10 weeks     To arrive
  fresh meats       containers                        from         within 40
                                                      slaughter    days from
                                                      date         slaughter

  Stuffed or        Cans          Temperatures not    12 months    
  covered biscuits                exceeding 25C in                 
                                  well ventilated                  
                                  stores, far from                 
                                  moisture and                     
                                  contamination                    
                                  sources                          

  Flour             Paper or                          12 months    
                    plastic bags                                   

  Mayonnaise        Glass or                          12 months    
                    metal                                          
                    containers                                     

  Fresh eggs (table Suitable      Stored at 4‑10C     3 months (1) 
  eggs)             containers                                     

  All kinds of      Paper,                            12 months    
  chocolates        aluminum foil                                  
                    or plastic                                     
                    containers                                     
  ----------------- ------------- ------------------- ------------ -------------

\(1\) Subsequently amended to 6 months.

Kuwait recognizes shelf‑life durations set by the manufacturer for
products not listed above. Suppliers are encouraged to work closely with
their importers to ensure that their products comply with all local
import requirements. A product must arrive in Kuwait before half its
shelf life is elapsed.

## APPENDIX B. LIST OF PERMITTED FOOD COLORS

The following is a list of food colors, natural and artificial,
permitted in Kuwait:

**A. Natural Food Colors**

**Color/Description International Number Other Names**

**Red to Yellow Colors**

Carmine 120 Cochineal, Carminic Acid

Annato extracts 160B Bixin, Norbixin

Beta Carotene 160A Carotene blend

Lycobine 160D

Beta‑Apo‑8‑carotenal 160E

Beta‑Apo‑8‑carotenoic acid 160F

Lutein 161B

Carrot oil None

Beet root red 162 Betanine

**Red to Purple Shade**

Anthocyanins 163(i)

Grape skin extract 163(ii)

Blackcurrant extract 163(iii) Enocianina

Beet powder None

Paprika None

Paprika oleoresin 160C

**Orange and Yellow Colors**

Saffron None Natural yellow 6

Turmeric powder 100(ii)

Curcumin 100(i)

Turmeric oleoresin None

Riboflavin 101(i)

Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate 101(ii)

**Green Colors**

Chlorophylls 140 Chlorophyllins

Chlorophyll copper complex 141(i)

Sodium and potassium salts of 141(ii)

chlorophyll copper complex

**Brown Colors**

Plain caramel 150A

Caustic sulphite caramel 150B

Ammonia caramel 150C

Ammonia sulphite caramel 150D

**Black Color**

Activated vegetable carbon 153

**Inorganic Colors**

Titanium dioxide 171 Food white 6

Iron oxides 172

**B. Artificial Food Colors**

**Red Colors**

Azorubine 122 Carmosine, Food red 3

Allura Red 17 129 Food red 40

**Yellow Colors**

Sunset yellow FCF 110 Food yellow 3, Food orange S, Yellow 6 for food,
drugs and cosmetics

Tartrazine 102 Food yellow 4, Yellow 5 for food, drugs and cosmetics

**Brown Color**

Chocolate brown HT 155 Food brown 3

**Green Color**

Fast green FCF 143 Food green 3, Green 3 for food, drugs and cosmetics

**Blue Colors**

Indigotine 132 Carmine indigo, Blue 2 for

food, drugs and cosmetics, Food blue 1

Brilliant blue FCF 133 Food blue 2, Blue 1 for food, drugs and

cosmetics

**Black Color**

Brilliant black BN 151 Food black 1, Black PN

**C. Coloring Matters Allowed for Use in Selected Foods**

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  International     Color             Food              Maximum Limit
  Number                                                

  127               Erythrosine       Cherry and        None
                                      Products          

  128               Red 2 G           Sausages          20 ppm

  161G              Canthaxanthin     Cooked Sausages   30 ppm

                                      Frozen Foods      100 ppm

  173               Aluminum          External Cover    According to Good
                                      for Cake and      Production
                                      Pasta             Practice

  174               Silver            External Cover    According to Good
                                      for Sweets        Production
                                                        Practice

  175               Gold              External Cover    According to Good
                                      for Sweets        Production
                                                        Practice

  180               Lithotrubine      Cheese Covering   According to Good
                                                        Production
                                                        Practice

  None              Orange B          Sausage and       150 ppm
                                      Frankfurters      
                                      Covering          

  None              Citrus Red 2      Orange Peel       2 ppm
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

ppm: Parts per million.

**D. Recently Prohibited Colors**

  -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------
  International Number Color                  Remarks

  104                  Quinolin yellow        Prohibited in all food
                                              products

  124                  Ponceau 4R             Prohibited in all food
                                              products
  -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------

##  

## APPENDIX C. REGULATORY AGENCIES / USEFUL CONTACTS

Name/Address Field of Specialty

A. Government

Mr. Yousef Shihab Al‑Bahar Food safety and other

Vice General Director for Standards standards

and Industrial Services Affairs

Public Authority for Industry

P.O. Box 4690 Safat

13047 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 431-8451; Fax: (965) 431-8159

Mr. Khalid A. Al-Fahed Food safety and other

Director of Standards & standards

Metrology Dept.

Public Authority for Industry

P.O. Box 4690 Safat

13047 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 431-8740; Fax: (965) 431-6704

Dr. Siham Al‑Mufti Analysis of imported food

Director of Public Health Laboratories products

Ministry of Public Health

P.O. Box 35699 Shaab

36057 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 265‑3631; Fax: (965) 265‑3483

Dr. Mohammed Al‑Muhanna Livestock and pet

Acting Deputy Director General import regulations

for Animal Resources and inspection

Public Authority for Agricultural

Affairs and Fish Resources

P.O. Box 21422 Safat

13075 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 476‑5038/26; Fax: (965) 472‑3896

Mr. Abdul Aziz J. Al-Ramadhan Trade data

Supervisor of Foreign Trade Statistics

Central Statistics Office

Ministry of Planning

P.O. Box 26188

Safat 13122 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 243-0414; Fax: (965) 242-7562

H.E. Sheikh Fahed bin Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Livestock and

Chairman of the Board and horticultural products

Director General import regulations and

Public Authority for Agricultural inspection

Affairs and Fish Resources

P.O. Box 21422 Safat

13075 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 476‑1116/7/8/9; Fax: (965) 476‑5551

Dr. Hussein Al-Shammaa Livestock and pet import

Director of Animal Health Dept. regulations and inspection

Public Authority for Agriculture

Affairs and Fish Resources

P.O. Box 21422 Safat

13075 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 471‑7123; Fax: (965) 472-2417

Mr. Khalid H. Al-Zahmoul Food import regulations

Department Manager - Imported Food and inspection

Kuwait Municipality

P.O. Box 10

Safat, Kuwait 13001

Tel: (965) 481-0972; Fax: (965) 481-1358

B. Non‑government

Mr. Ahmad Rashed Al‑Haroun Commercial regulations and

Director General trade data

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry

P.O. Box 775 Safat

13008 Kuwait

Tel: (965) 80-55-80; Fax: (965) 240‑4110

Mr. Adel Al-Huwail, Director Commercial regulations and

Foreign Commercial Relations Department trade data

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry

P.O. Box 775

Safat 13008, Kuwait

Tel: (965) 80-55-80; Fax: (965) 243-3858

END OF REPORT