Moroccan Lawmaker Raises Health Concerns Over Unregulated Bakeries’ Bread

Hanan Atrakin, a deputy from the Authenticity and Modernity Party, points the finger at the quality of bread made in informal bakeries. In a question addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, she claims that "in recent years, informal bakeries have emerged in various regions and cities of our country, offering consumers what is called homemade bread, but which does not comply with the quality standards required for these establishments, whether traditional or modern."

"These bakeries use gas and the flame of a blowtorch to bake the bread at temperatures between 80 and 120 degrees Celsius, while the correct and healthy baking of bread must be done in traditional ovens, where temperatures vary between 200 and 300 degrees," denounced the PAM elected official. In this case, "the bread offered by the informal bakeries remains damp, which will have serious consequences for the health of consumers in the medium and long term," added Outrkine.

The PAM deputy is concerned that "this type of bakery represents a real danger for modern and traditional bakeries due to unfair competition, having already led to the closure and bankruptcy of several bakeries." She then calls on Minister Sadiki to take all necessary measures to monitor the conditions of bread preparation and baking in these bakeries.