Fruits from five important date cultivars grown in the United Arab Emirates collected at different stages of maturity were utilized for the laboratory‐scale preparation of chutney and date relish. The panelists were not able to detect sensory quality differences among the chutney and date relish samples prepared from different cultivars, as no significant differences were found in the sensory quality scores of the chutney or date relish made from these cultivars at the khalal or kimri stages of maturity during the storage period. Although the total plate counts and mold counts in these chutney and date relish samples increased significantly (Log10CFU/mL 2.40 to 5.83) during storage, they were still within acceptable limits. These products were found to be free from Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms during the entire period of five months of storage at room temperature. Further product development studies are needed to explore the possibility of preparing these value‐added processed date fruit products, especially date relish.

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Approximately, 1,000 locally produced and imported milk and dairy product samples were collected at different seasonal periods from different farms and retail outlets in Kuwait, and screened for the presence of four antimicrobial residues (beta-lactams, tetracyclines sulfonamides and chloramphenicol) using Charm II system. Results indicated that 29.1% of the analyzed local fresh milk samples were above the maximum residue level (MRL) for tested residues with tetracycline as predominant residue. The prevalence of antimicrobial residues in imported pasteurized milk samples (5.4%) was higher than that of local pasteurized milk samples (3.4%). No residues were detected in powdered and condensed milk samples imported from the European Union (EU) countries with the exception of tetracyclines. Results also showed that 9.4% of the analyzed imported cheese samples were above the MRL for tested residues, while tested ice cream samples were negative for antimicrobial residues. The significant presence of antimicrobial residues, particularly chloramphenicol, in raw and pasteurized milk, clearly implies the misuse of antimicrobial drugs in animal farms in Kuwait and neighboring 4 Corresponding