DUBAI The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined four other Persian Gulf states on Monday in suspending imports of Spanish olive oil over reports that it could contain carcinogenic substances.

****Gulf News**** cited a municipality spokesman as saying the UAE had decided that Spanish olive oil made from pomace, or pulpy residue of olives, should be removed from shops and markets.

According to an AFP report, the UAE has followed the example of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have all slapped bans on the import of olive oil and withdrawing stocks from the market while tests are carried out.