Moroccan Watermelons Flagged in Spain for Unauthorized Pesticide Residue

According to ONSSA’s explanations, only one batch of watermelons is concerned by Spain’s notification. "Upon receipt of this notification, the Office’s services conducted the necessary investigations, which made it possible to identify the orchard concerned and to establish the traceability of the batch of exported watermelons. Investigations were carried out at the field level and at the watermelon packaging station," ONSSA told the website Médias24, stating that it has banned the use of methomyl in all crops since September 26, 2022. In addition, it was decided to take measures against the offenders, including the suspension of the health authorization of the packaging station and that of the exporter. ONSSA adds that investigations are underway to determine the marketing circuit of methomyl.

This is the fifth notification that Spain has addressed to Morocco this year regarding fruits and vegetables exported to the Iberian peninsula. "Since the beginning of 2023, fruits and vegetables of Moroccan origin have been the subject of 5 notifications from the RASFF system out of a total of 497 notifications issued by this system on fruits and vegetables imported into Europe from all origins," indicates the National Office of Food Safety and Security, assuring that it regularly controls pesticide residues in agricultural products, both at the local market level and at import. "In 2023, ONSSA carried out 8,000 samples on food products sold in Morocco compared to 700 in 2018. The European Union countries, for their part, carry out an average of 4,500 samples per year," the office specifies.