Are people in Surkhandarya being poisoned by melons? Authorities respond

Social media users have recently raised concerns that melons grown in the Surkhandarya region contain excessive levels of nitrates and are allegedly causing poisonings among consumers. The regional administration has issued a response addressing these claims.

According to the Surkhandarya Regional Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health, the situation has been investigated and reported to local authorities. Officials state that all melon products sold in the region, including melons, undergo regular testing at veterinary and sanitary laboratories operating in farmers' and food markets.

Only melons that meet established sanitary standards for nitrate content are approved for sale, the administration emphasized.

“To date, no medical institution in the region has recorded a case of poisoning from consuming melons,” the statement reads.

Additionally, the administration clarified that the melon varieties shown in the video circulating on social media have no connection to melons grown in Surkhandarya.

It is worth noting that last month, a worm was discovered in tandoor-cooked meat at the "Bahor" public catering establishment in the Shorchi district of Surkhandarya. Following the incident, samples from the establishment's equipment and food products were taken for laboratory analysis, and the operation was temporarily suspended.