Moroccan Authorities Seize 16,000 Liters of Suspected Adulterated Olive Oil in Meknes

During a raid on an olive oil press in Meknes, the gendarmes seized nearly 16,000 liters of potentially adulterated olive oil ready to be sold on the market, reports the Arabic daily Assabah. They also arrested the owner of the press and then questioned him. After sampling by the competent authorities, in coordination with the services of the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA), for analysis, the press was sealed.

The marketing of adulterated olive oil is observed when olive oil production is insufficient. This year, orchard owners forecast a drastic drop in olive yield that could reach 80% compared to last year due to drought, lack of rainfall, heat waves and the chergui. The drop in supply inevitably leads to a surge in the price per liter of olive oil in the main centers of culture like Beni Mellal, Taza and El Kelaa des Sraghna. The price per liter of oil thus varies between 75 and 80 dirhams. This price could exceed 100 dirhams this season in the other cities of the kingdom due to the costs related to the production and transport process.