Morocco Seizes 166 Tons of Unsafe Food Products Ahead of Ramadan

The role of the commission is to ensure that the markets are normally supplied with all goods and products and that the supply largely covers the needs, especially during the month of Ramadan. It also ensures the stability of prices and quality control for the well-being of consumers. During its weekly meeting, it took stock of the progress of the measures taken in preparation for the month of Ramadan. This concerns the availability of the most consumed goods and products during this holy month.

Thus, according to the report drawn up by the commission, the supply of cereals and legumes available "corresponds to 4 months’ consumption", without taking into account the quantities currently being imported after the suspension of customs duties. As for fruits and vegetables, the sown areas and the estimated production will make it possible to cover "the needs until the end of the current year". As for fish landings, the commission specifies that they "should see an increase, after the gradual resumption of fishing activity, which was stopped due to the state of emergency".

With regard to the interventions of the joint control commissions during the period from April 1 to 22, 2020, they concerned around "30,000 wholesale and retail outlets and storage warehouses". In total, "417 violations in terms of prices and quality of food products" were noted: 308 for lack of price display, 64 for non-presentation of invoices, 24 for illegal increases in regulated prices, 9 for non-compliance with quality and hygiene standards, and several other various offenses. Regulatory measures have been taken against the offenders.

It is in terms of the quality of goods and products stored or offered for sale that a significant quantity of goods unfit for consumption has been seized and destroyed by the joint commission. This involves "143 tons of flours and derivative products, 11 tons of meats and fish and charcuterie, 3 tons of olives and oils, and more than a ton of milks and derivatives, in addition to various quantities of products such as juices and beverages, breads, cakes and pastries, as well as hygiene and cleaning products".