Moroccan Watermelon Safety Confirmed Amid Unfounded Health Rumors

Faced with this strong campaign of denigration, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests provided a firm denial: the Moroccan watermelon is perfectly in line with food safety standards, describing these rumors spread on social networks as "dangerous, irresponsible and unfounded" and damaging to the production of the watermelon crop, as well as to the farmers. "All the analyzes carried out show a total absence of contaminants in this fruit, whether pesticide residues, heavy metals or bacteria," the supervisory authority affirmed, specifying that the various analyzes carried out by ONSSA, as part of the watermelon monitoring and control plan during the current campaign, did not establish the slightest presence of pesticide residues, heavy metals (lead and cadmium) and bacteria (salmonella and coliforms).

As proof, continues the ministry, up to June 20, 2021, 218,000 tons of watermelons have been exported mainly to European Union countries, during this campaign, practically the same quantity as the previous campaign at the same date, sweeping away the statements according to which, the kingdom has experienced a drop in watermelon exports due to their poor quality. And the ministry officials add: "the European surveillance system has not reported any non-compliance on Moroccan watermelons exported over the past five years." It should be noted that the imported seeds are subject to systematic technical and phytosanitary control at the borders to verify their compliance with the standards and specifications in force in Morocco, before authorizing their marketing.

In conclusion, the use of genetically modified seed varieties is prohibited for all crops in Morocco, the ministry recalls.