A cargo of Moroccan olive oil sent back from Europe? The ONSSA responds

The Office denies this information and specifies that no cargo exported from Morocco has been returned. ONSSA explains that the confusion stems from a withdrawal carried out in 2024 by the Belgian authorities. This withdrawal concerned a batch of olive oil for which the mandatory labeling information, such as the batch number and expiration date, was missing.

This defect prevented the identification of the exact origin of the product, and it was therefore not confirmed that it came from Morocco. ONSSA adds that checks carried out at the time with the presumed production unit concerned had demonstrated the compliance of the product.

41 tons of non-compliant products destroyed in 2024-2025

ONSSA took the opportunity of this press release to recall the rigor of its control system for the sector, which includes 779 approved production units. During the 2024-2025 campaign, 439 inspection visits were carried out, leading to the withdrawal of 7 health authorizations and the suspension of 11 others.

These checks also resulted in the destruction of 41 tons of products deemed unfit for consumption. In addition, 73 infringement files were transmitted to the competent judicial authorities for further action.

The Office also stressed the strengthening of pesticide residue monitoring, in accordance with international standards. The number of samples of fruits, vegetables and olives analyzed in accredited laboratories has been multiplied by more than four between 2020 and 2025, from 1,536 to 6,635 analyses.