Rabat – A content creator recently posted a video comparing popular spreadable cheese brands, including Kiri, showing stark differences between the version sold in Morocco and its French counterpart.
The Moroccan version contains several chemical additives classified as potentially carcinogenic, while the French product is free of such substances, the video shows.
The product-tracking mobile app reports that the Moroccan version contains three additives flagged as “harmful to health.”
In contrast, the version marketed in France lists only fats among its ingredients, consistent with what would be expected from natural cheese composition.
The additives identified in the Moroccan product include tricalcium phosphate, carrageenan, and polyphosphate.
Nutrition experts warn that tricalcium phosphate may increase cardiovascular risks, carrageenan has been associated with cancer in some studies, and polyphosphates may contribute to other health complications.
In a TikTok reel, the nutrition enthusiast who conducted the comparison noted that similar discrepancies have been observed across “many spreadable cheeses sold in Morocco.”
Meanwhile, spreadable cheeses sold in France often receive top evaluations for being additive-free and maintaining balanced fat levels.
At the end of his video, the analyst posed a direct question to the manufacturer: “Why are these additives present in Morocco but not in France?”
As for healthier options, the video suggested that locally made traditional cottage cheese remains the only available alternative in Morocco to receive a favorable rating in terms of ingredient quality.
