Concerns Rise Over Safety of Algerian Dates in Moroccan Markets Ahead of Ramadan

A fruit highly consumed during the month of Ramadan, the Algerian date is present on the stalls of Moroccan markets. This is also explained by the low Moroccan production and the exemption of this Algerian product from customs taxes and duties for a period of three months, provided that the imported quantities do not exceed the average of 10,000 tons per year, for an estimated value of around 270 million dirhams. But it has been found that some importers go beyond the required average, thus causing speculative practices.

What about the quality of Algerian dates? According to some merchants in Rabat, other merchants would sell "adulterated and toxic Algerian dates, coming from the oases where the French army had carried out nuclear tests." Contacted by Assabah, officials at the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA) said that all imports of Algerian dates are subject to rigorous control at all border levels and that samples are taken and analyzed by ONSSA services. Out of a quantity of 35,769 tons of Algerian dates imported and controlled by the office until March 22, only 424 tons were not authorized for sale in Morocco, the same sources said.