As Morocco becomes world’s 4th biggest olive oil producer, fake olive oil scams continue to plague the country.
Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Interior has deployed a special patrol unit to intensify the fight against vendors selling fake olive oil across Morocco.
Frauds in several regions of the country are reportedly distributing and selling unregulated, fake olive oil containing a toxic chemical substance imported from the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, causing a public health risk.
The frauds allegedly use special capsules and mix them with lukewarm water to produce a liquid that resembles olive oil.
Read Also: Morocco is World’s 4th Largest Olive Oil Producer
The Minister of Agriculture Aziz Akhannouch said on Monday at the House of Representatives that his ministry will be strict in dealing with frauds who are caught selling fake essential oils.
The olive oil frauds are not new to Morocco or other parts of the world
Morocco, 4th biggest olive oil producer in the world
According to Akhannouch, Morocco has harvested 2 million tons of olives this season, an increase of 28 percent compared to the crop last year.
The minister announced at the 5th National Fair of the Olive Tree, which took place on November 28-December 1, that Morocco has become the 4th largest olive oil producer worldwide.
The olive tree is the main fruit tree cultivated in Morocco. Morocco’s principle regions for olive production are Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, and Casablanca.
Olive trees cover more than 1.07 million hectares, accounting for 65 percent of the tree species in the country.
