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Rabat – In a recent development that raises serious concerns about food safety, European health authorities have reported the presence of hepatitis A in Moroccan strawberries that were exported to Spain.
This alarming discovery comes on the heels of a previous incident where strawberries from Morocco were found to be contaminated with norovirus.
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued earlier this week a health warning following the detection of hepatitis A in Moroccan strawberries imported into Spain. This was the second health alert within a short span of time involving strawberries from Morocco.
The contamination has been described as exceeding the maximum authorized level of the virus, indicating a significant public health risk.
According to reports, the Valencian Farmers’ Association (AVA-ASAJA) has expressed deep concerns over the situation, labeling it as a “public health danger.”
It is suspected that the contamination may have originated from the irrigation of farms with wastewater, raising questions about agricultural practices and hygiene standards.
Read also: Morocco’s Strawberry Export Revenues Reach Up to $70 Million Annually
In response to the escalating situation, the AVA-ASAJA has urged the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture to seek urgent explanations from Moroccan health authorities.
They have also called for concrete measures to be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
This development comes amidst growing tensions surrounding Moroccan agricultural exports to the European Union.
Just a week ago, the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER) lodged a complaint with Spanish courts regarding attacks on transport trucks and media defamation targeting Moroccan exports.
Statistics reveal a significant increase in Moroccan agricultural exports to the EU in recent years, with Spain experiencing a modest rise.
Meanwhile, EU agricultural exports to Morocco have surged, with Spanish exports showing notable growth. These figures underscore the importance of maintaining stringent quality control measures to ensure the safety of food imports and protect public health.
