Jeddah Mayoralty Saturday began a wide ranging campaign to inform herbal shops and centers selling cosmetics to withdraw the Indonesian-made “Merit” herbal preparation which is promoted as a weight reducing mixture. The mayoralty issued an urgent circular to branch municipalities to withdraw and prevent dealing in or displaying of the preparation in herbal and other shops. This decision is based on the circular issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to withdraw the preparation as it has numerous adverse health effects. Dr. Bashir Abu Najm, Director General of Licenses and Commercial Supervision in Jeddah Mayoralty, said that during its inspection tours, the mayoralty has stressed to owners of herbal shops not to sell “Merit” so as to avoid the health hazards it causes. He called upon citizens to report immediately when they spot this herbal preparation in any shop by calling the mayoralty's Operations Section at 940 or though the mayoralty's website.
