Latest news with #British-Egyptian


Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Gaza famine: We hold British institutions accountable for enabling this horror
I am a British-Egyptian paediatrician. I have travelled to Gaza for over a decade, working alongside local doctors and witnessing first-hand the impact of Israel's blockade and bombardment on children's health. I know what it means to see preventable child death. But I have never in my lifetime witnessed this level of calculated cruelty, nor such cold complicity from those who claim to care about international law and children's rights. For the past few days, the faces of starving children in Gaza have flooded the pages of British newspapers: emaciated infants with hollow eyes, toddlers too weak to cry, babies dying in their mothers' arms. It is as if the UK media suddenly discovered that children are being starved in Gaza. But for those of us who work with children, who have spoken daily with doctors inside Gaza, who have begged governments and institutions to act for the last nine months, this horror is not news. It is the inevitable outcome of a deliberate campaign of dehumanisation - sanctioned by the British mainstream media, shielded by the British government and carried out by an apartheid state with total impunity. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Media complicity The images now shocking the nation did not appear in a vacuum. They are the final chapter of a story that the UK media has helped write from the beginning. Now that children are starving to death on camera, the very same outlets have begun to backtrack - not out of principle, but self-preservation For 20 months - and especially since October 2023 - British newspapers, broadcasters and politicians have regurgitated Israeli government talking points almost verbatim: human shields, terrorist infrastructure, no famine, Hamas is hiding food, Israel is doing its best. Every excuse has been offered to rationalise the collective punishment of two million people - half of them children. These narratives were not harmless. They built the scaffolding of disbelief that allowed genocide to unfold before our eyes. They gave cover to Israeli war crimes. They undermined the testimonies of Palestinian doctors, UN officials, human rights experts and ordinary civilians begging to be believed. They manufactured public consent for ethnic cleansing. Now that children are starving to death on camera, the very same outlets have begun to backtrack - not out of principle, but self-preservation. The tide of public opinion has turned. The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel is plausibly committing genocide. The World Health Organization warns of catastrophic hunger. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) says Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. Faced with overwhelming evidence, British institutions are scrambling to rewrite their role. But we must not let them. Institutional racism We must remember how British editors platformed Israeli spokespeople while silencing Palestinian medics; how papers like The Times and The Telegraph printed baseless stories about tunnels under hospitals, smearing paediatric units as terrorist command centres; how some columnists questioned whether Palestinians really lacked food or were staging the suffering. How the BBC obscures UK complicity in Gaza genocide Read More » We must remember that while Gaza's healthcare system collapsed under relentless bombing, our own medical bodies stayed largely silent - too afraid of controversy to speak against the starvation of children. And we must call this what it is: racism. It should never have taken visible bones and distended bellies to convince British journalists that Palestinians are human beings. The starvation of children is not more tragic now because it is photogenic; it is tragic because it was always avoidable and always justified only because of who those children were. Would this be happening if they were Israeli children? Ukrainian children? British children? Of course not. But Palestinian lives, and especially Palestinian children, have been treated as disposable - either invisible or demonised. For months, Israeli officials openly stated their intent to deprive Gaza of food, fuel, water and medicine. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said they were fighting "human animals". Senior politicians called for a second Nakba. And yet, the UK media pretended not to hear. We have colleagues in Gaza who told me in March 2025 that they had nothing left to eat. They were performing surgery without anaesthetic, feeding their children boiled grass, watching infants die of dehydration and wasting. We relayed these accounts to journalists, to international agencies, to professional bodies here in Britain. But too often they wanted "balance". They wanted to wait for "independent verification". They would quote an Israeli military spokesperson, but not a Palestinian paediatrician who just watched three babies die. This is what racism looks like in institutional form: the demand for impossible evidence from the colonised, while treating every word of the coloniser as fact. Moment of reckoning The images now flooding our media are not a turning point; they are a reckoning. Because it is not just Israel that is starving these children; it is the UK government that continues to arm Israel, host its war criminals and block calls for a ceasefire. The starvation of Gaza is not a glitch in the system; it is the system - a system that deems some lives worth mourning and others worth erasing It is every editor who played stenographer to Israel's occupation. It is every medical institution that remained neutral while Gaza hospitals were bombed. It is every British leader who repeats the lie that this is a war between equals. The starvation of Gaza is not a glitch in the system; it is the system - a system that deems some lives worth mourning and others worth erasing, a system that needs to be torn down, not rebranded. So yes, show the images. Show the world what has been done. But do not look away from the people and structures that made this possible. Demand accountability - not just from Israel, but from every British institution that enabled this horror. As a paediatrician, I swore an oath to protect life. That means speaking out when children are starved to death with the world's approval. That means confronting the racism at the heart of this silence. And that means ensuring that those now weeping for Gaza's children never again have the power to decide who lives and who dies. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye


See - Sada Elbalad
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Fady El Sayed Lands First Leading Role in Egyptian Drama 'Weld, Bent, and a Shaib"
Yara Sameh British-Egyptian actor Fady El-Sayed has joined the cast of the upcoming series "Weld, Bent, and a Shaib," which began filming this week in preparation for its premiere on the Watch It platform. The series is part of Watch It's slate of original productions in collaboration with AF Production, and marks Fady's first lead role in an Egyptian television series. "Weld, Bent, and a Shaib" is directed by Zeina Ashraf Abdel Baky, written by Mohamed Barakat and Ahmed Fawzy Saleh, with screenplay and dialogue by El-Sayed Abdel Nabi. The cast includes Ashraf Abdel Baky, Layla Ahmed Zaher, Marwan El Moselmani, Entessar, Nabil Issa, and Alaa Arafa. El Sayed's most recent role was portraying 'Faz' in the third season of Gangs of London, a character he first introduced in the show's second season. "Gangs of London" is a UK-US co-production between Sky Studios, AMC Networks, and Pulse Films, and features an ensemble cast of international stars. Prior to that, El Sayed starred in the dark comedy series "Kaos," which recently premiered on Netflix, and in the third season of "Industry," produced by HBO. El Sayed began his acting career with a breakout lead role in the film "My Brother the Devil," which earned him a nomination for Best British Newcomer at the BFI London Film Festival. Since then, he has appeared in several notable international projects, including the series "Penny Dreadful," "River," "Baghdad Central," and "Little Bird," as well as films like "A Private War" and "Daniel." read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks

IOL News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dubai chocolate bar under fire: health warning issued over allergen risk
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has raised significant concerns, stressing that, 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts.' Image: TikTok If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram, you've probably seen it: the oozy, luxurious "Dubai chocolate" bar. Maybe you've even hunted it down at a local speciality shop or paid a premium to see the hype. But this week, a surprising and urgent health warning is making many chocolate fans pause before their next bite. According to Tatler Asia and the BBC, the bar was dreamed up by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian chocolatier and founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings, she combined pistachio cream, tahini, and the popular Middle Eastern knafeh pastry inside a silky chocolate shell. Then, TikTok worked its usual magic, millions of views, mouth-watering unboxings, and a global pistachio obsession that even nudged pistachio prices up worldwide. In South Africa, you'll spot this bar on some boutique retailer shelves for an eye-watering R500 to R700 a pop, proof that no viral craving comes cheap. So, why is this chocolate being pulled from shelves? The buzz turned bitter when the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) raised a red flag this week. A version of the chocolate, called Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai, sold by Black Sea Trading Ltd and stocked by World Market stores, contains peanuts, but this crucial allergen wasn't listed on its label. If you or someone you know has a peanut allergy, this missing detail isn't just a mistake; it's a serious health risk. 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts,' the FSA warned in an official statement published on Shops have been told to 'immediately stop sales and undertake product withdrawals.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Peanut allergies are no joke; they're one of the leading causes of severe food allergy reactions, and even tiny traces can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitive people. Peanut allergy affects a significant number of people, with prevalence rates varying by region and age group. In Western nations, it's estimated that 1-2% of the population has a peanut allergy. In the US, over 4 million people are affected by peanut allergies, with rates increasing in recent years. Studies have shown that peanut allergy is more common in children than adults, and prevalence rates can differ between urban and rural areas. '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,' Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, told "The Independent". A British-Egyptian chocolatier from FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai created this luxury bar filled with pistachio cream and tahini. Image: TikTok Is anyone sick yet? So far, thankfully, no illnesses have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But that doesn't mean you should take a chance. The FSA's advice is clear: Don't buy it. Don't eat it. Dispose of it safely. If you already have one stashed away, toss it and let your local Trading Standards (in Great Britain) or Environmental Health Officers (in Northern Ireland) know where you bought it. The watchdog also raised concerns that these imported bars might be missing full ingredient lists altogether. Some versions could contain additives and food colours that aren't legal for sale in the UK, according to "The Independent". For people with food sensitivities, that's double trouble. Shops were told to immediately stop sales and pull the product from shelves, while customers were advised: don't eat it, especially if you have a peanut allergy. Dispose of it safely, and let authorities know where you bought it, stressed the FSA. In the UK, food laws require any of 14 major allergens to be clearly labelled. But as "The Independent" reports, many imported 'Dubai chocolate' bars don't include a full ingredient list or proper allergen warnings, simply because they weren't originally made for sale in the UK or the US. No recalls have been issued in South Africa yet.


Time Out Dubai
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Where to find the OG viral Dubai chocolate (and the best dupes)
Haven't heard about the viral 'Dubai chocolate'? Then you need to hop onto an Instagram feed near you immediately. The first iteration of the now-global chocolate bar originated from Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, and its beloved 'Can't Get Knafeh of It' has been sold exclusively since 2022. FIX's famous creation, now known as the original Dubai chocolate bar, consists of a rich milk chocolate shell stuffed with green pistachio cream, crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry) and tahini, which was inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dessert Knafeh. Credit: Instagram @fixdessertchocolatier Although only available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, FIX's ultra-gooey bars have officially gone mainstream and have resulted in many chocolate fans around the globe trying to recreate them at home. It's so good, it's even triggered other brands to create competitive versions too (more of that later!). You might also like: 8 Dubai chefs reveal what they really think of viral FIX chocolate Not only is the viral Dubai chocolate unique, but it's also hard to get your hands on, as FIX only releases two batches per day online and they're usually quick sell-outs. Desperate to try? Here are our tips on where to buy a bar or where to get the best dupes instead. Where can I buy the original Dubai chocolate? Whether it's the classic kunafeh or a bit of baklawa you're after, you need to act quickly. Founded by British-Egyptian Dubai expat Sarah Hamouda, each piece of FIX chocolate is homemade, with designs painted on its surface. Crafted with care, the limited supply makes them all the more sought after. Currently, FIX Dessert's main shop is online only, and you can only order from the Deliveroo app. Going live daily at 2pm and 5pm, if you're ordering on Deliveroo a box of 6 different flavours will cost you Dhs385.50, or a mini box comes with 10 smaller pieces of chocolate from Dhs189. Make sure you're on the app at the time of release and don't hang about getting it in your basket either. The best viral Dubai chocolate dupes Break by Mara Ok so this isn't quite a chocolate bar – but hear us out. It has the kunafa pistachio, it has a gooey centre and it's encased in milk chocolate. Available in Dubai Valley 77, don't hang around – go get your slice. Daily 10am-midnight. Jumeirah 2, @breakbymara (050 871 9882). Chocoart UAE Only available in the store but you can come away with a kunafa pistachio bar for only Dhs20. Usually offering chocolate trays and towers for special occasions, Chocoart offers a budget-friendly version of the popular new snack. Open daily 8am-10pm. Muwaileh Commercial Industrial Area, Sharjah. @ (06 550 8832). Chocovana (Credit: Supplied) The custom-made chocolate company are known for their specially selected sweet treats, and now you can order its pistachio-stuffed bars – but it has to be in a big batch. If you're looking to seriously stock up, or perhaps source some party favours, you can order the bars in boxes of 100 at a time. Dhs12 per piece (minimum of 100 pieces), (04 271 5603). Chunk Bakehouse If you want a change from the chocolate bar, then this dreamcake might be exactly what you're looking for. Filled with a creamy pistachio filling, crispy kunafa underneath and of course, a generous layer of chocolate powder on the top. Priced at Dhs149, the cake is a great one to share with friends if you're feeling peckish. @ Hadoota Masreya Inspired by FIX Chocolate. Credit: Hadoota Masreya. This long-standing Egyptian restaurant is also taking part in the trend with a 'Dubai Feteer' filled with a mixture of crunchy kunafa and pistachio sauce, all topped with a drizzle of rich chocolate. This flaky, buttery pastry, a beloved staple in Egyptian cuisine, has been transformed into the viral dessert. Dhs75. Daily from 10am-midnight. Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa 1 (04 380 9000). Kadayifzade The Turkish sweet shop and café has also launched its own version of the bar and you can get it in person or on Deliveroo and Talabat. Usually costing around Dhs75 for one bar, you can try the kunafa filling in milk, dark and white chocolate. Various locations. Lava Cake UAE The cake shop has also joined on the kunafa chocolate trend, but unlike FIX, this is the only flavour you can pick up. Filled with pistachio, you can enjoy a full bar for Dhs35 and while you're there, try the molten kinder cake too (trust us). Open Sun-Thurs 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Jumeirah 3. (04 295 5541). L'ETO Cafe (Credit: Supplied) The cafe have put their own spin on that dreamy pistachio kunafa combination and have turned it into a cheesecake. A mixture of chocolate cream cheese, tahini, pistachio paste and condensed milk, it's topped with fresh blueberries and chocolate ganache – someone serve us a slice immediately. Dhs55 (slice), Dhs618.95 (full cheesecake). Multiple locations. Noon Minutes Crredit: Adobe The express website is known for coming out with some unique snacks (fried chicken ice cream we're talking about you). But now, the brand has joined the pistachio trend and has released the 'Big Daddy' bar. Partnered with Vocca, the 125g bar is also a more affordable option, priced online at just under Dhs23. Trove Trove Restaurant at Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue has also jumped on the viral Dubai chocolate bandwagon. Its version of the Dubai Chocolate is a chocolate bar filled with decadent pistachio cream and layered with a crunchy kunafa topping. Available in two sizes, the dessert comes in a small portion priced at Dhs62 and a larger, shareable size for Dhs165, making it a perfect treat for a little solo indulgence and larger group gatherings. Dhs62 (single), Dhs165 (sharable). Trove Restaurants, Dubai Mall (04 347 7444). Viral Brands Viral Brands are selling dupes of the chocolate bars (Credit: Adobe) The dupe exists only on Deliveroo and sells copies of the viral chocolate as well as energy drinks and ice creams. From the pistachio to a kinder kunafa (yum), each bar is priced at Dhs59. Still hungry? The Dubai restaurants and bars opening soon and we can't wait Get these hot spots on your radar 32 banging budget restaurants, as chosen by Dubai's top chefs Expert-approved cheap eats in town 101 best breakfasts to try in Dubai 2025 From eggs Benedict to full-on fry-ups here's where to kick off a morning in style


The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Rogue imports of ‘Dubai chocolate' may threaten Britons with allergies, FSA says
Pistachio-filled 'Dubai chocolate' is one of the UK's hottest food trends but officials are warning that rogue imports could pose a serious threat to people with allergies. With shoppers clamouring to get their hands on the bars, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it has identified a 'number of products that pose a health risk to consumers with allergies'. Although most of the chocolate is 'safe' to eat, the body says it is concerned that some bars do not have reliable labels. It is also possible they contain banned additives and dyes. Its officials are working with local councils to get problem bars cleared from shelves. The bars were first invented in 2021 by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian living in Dubai. The indulgent treat went on to become a huge hit on social media. One video of a food influencer eating the bar, which contains a filling of pistachio cream and tahini with knafeh (a traditional Arab dessert), has clocked up more than 100m views on TikTok. The chocolate has become so popular it is one of the factors blamed for a shortage of pistachios. The scale of the demand from sweet-toothed consumers inspired specialists, such as Lindt, to launch their own versions as well as supermarkets from Lidl to Waitrose. The FSA's chief scientific adviser, Prof Robin May, said: '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'. '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.' By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English that carry a list of ingredients, with the allergens emphasised. The packet should also give the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The FSA says it is trying to establish the scale of the problem. While this work takes place, it is advising those with a food allergy or intolerance to only purchase bars that are clearly intended for sale in the UK.