Rabat – The regional services of Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) of the Eastern region destroyed a total of 136 tons of potatoes in Berkane. Potato producers had treated the crop with illegal amounts of pesticides, said ONSSA on Friday, September 4.
The office added that it has prepared offense reports accordingly and forwarded them to the relevant authorities.
The royal gendarmerie and ONSSA destroyed the potato crops after samples stored outside ONSSA compliant warehouses failed a compliance test.
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The analysis showed that the potatoes stored in the approved warehouses complied with the registered pesticide residue levels, while those stored elsewhere have been treated with unapproved pesticides.
The operation falls within the framework of monitoring and control plans for the use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables, added ONSSA.
ONSSA reassured the public that fruits and vegetable monitoring are being strengthened and that “this action will not be limited to the Eastern region but to all regions.”
The office is part of the ministry of agriculture and is charged with the protection of consumers’ health and ensuring the safety of animals, plants, and food products.
