Yemen clears Brazilian UB sugar for sale after safety probe

In late July 2026, Yemeni authorities seized large shipments of Brazilian white‑crystalline sugar after a journalist reported heavy‑metal contamination. The Ministry of Industry and Trade ordered a nationwide recall of the product, specifically targeting the UB brand produced by Usina Bela Vista and marked with the GRUPO BAZAN label, citing lead, arsenic and copper levels above safety limits.

By early August, the government and industry groups responded to the controversy. The importer and the Aden Traders' Association presented international laboratory reports from SGS and Bureau Veritas confirming that the specific UB sugar batch met all relevant standards, including ISO 22000, HACCP and FSSC 22000. A deputy minister met with importers to explain that only the questioned batch was under a temporary precautionary hold and that further testing was underway. Officials emphasized that other Brazilian sugar varieties remained approved and safe for consumption.

In late August, the Yemeni Ministry of Industry and Trade officially cleared the UB brand for market circulation. Undersecretary Dr. Qasim Al-Hadrami issued a directive to provincial offices to release the shipments following laboratory testing that confirmed the product meets approved health specifications. This reversal was based on reports from the Ministry of Public Health and Population, the Yemen Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Organization, and the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances, which collectively cleared the product of previous heavy metal contamination concerns.