The United Nations has confirmed it sent hundreds of boxes of out-of-date biscuits to civilians in besieged towns near Damascus in Syria.
An aid convoy to the rebel-held areas of Zabadani and Madaya on 18 October delivered 320 boxes of high energy biscuits which had expired the previous month.
A total of 650 boxes were delivered during a cease-fire between pro-government forces and insurgents.
In a statement released on Saturday, Yacoub El Hillo, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, said the team was taking the issue “very seriously”.
“We can confirm that this was the result of an unfortunate human error during the landing process.”
“To be on the safe side… we have asked the communities to isolate the expired biscuits and we are taking all possible steps to replace the consignment as soon as possible,” he said, according to News24.
Mr El Hillo said the UN had requested access to the areas to allow any potential patients to be treated by medical personnel, although it had been confirmed that eating the products would not pose any health threats.
Additional reporting by AP
