Baghdad: Large quantities of food-grade industrial fats, which are banned from import, were seized in Baghdad. The Veterinary Department, a division of the Ministry of Agriculture, announced on Wednesday the seizure of large quantities of industrial food fats, the import of which is prohibited, in Baghdad.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministry stated in a press release that “the Veterinary Department, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior’s Economic Security Directorate, seized large quantities of processed food fats and lard inside a large refrigerated truck in the Fadhiliya area, which had arrived from the Al-Mundhiriya border crossing.”

The statement included remarks from Mohammed Aziz Al-Mayahi, Director General of the Veterinary Department, who confirmed that “veterinary clinic teams in Fadhiliya, in cooperation with security forces, confiscated these quantities, as they are among the materials prohibited from import according to Ministry of Agriculture regulations, due to the direct harm they pose to human health when used in food.” He explained that “the seized quantities will be destroyed according to a destruction order issued by the competent investigating judge,” emphasizing “the important role played by security forces in monitoring and preventing the entry of smuggled and non-compliant food products.”

The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a permanent ban on the import of sheep fat (tail fat) and all types of processed fats through border crossings. These are classified as commercial fraud because they are hydrogenated vegetable oils used industrially, such as for candles or ropes, and are smuggled to be mixed with meat and sold to restaurants. Their use in cooking or food is extremely harmful to human health.

The department stressed the importance of continuing inspection and monitoring campaigns in markets and border crossings to maintain food safety and protect public health.