An informed source from Morocco’s food safety watchdog, ONSSA, reassured the public of the body’s commitment to food and sanitary safety after the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued a “serious” warning about infected Moroccan strawberries in Europe, on Thursday. The alert follows the alleged detection of hepatitis-A in strawberries exported from Morocco.
Hepatitis-A is a liver inflammation causing mild to severe illness, transmitted through contaminated food and water ingestion or via direct contact with an infectious person.
The contamination, exceeding authorized levels, raises significant concerns about public health, according to RASFF.
The source stated that “export controls of these strawberries, which are coordinated and controlled by Morocco Foodex (MF-EACCE) and monitored by ONSSA, will be re-examined, in light of the phytosanitary certificates granted, all of which are essential in targeting specific markets.”
ONSSA prioritizes the adherence to high sanitary requirements for exported products, subject to internal and external controls, with a focus on the fresh strawberry sector.
The same source added that the trade in agricultural products is regulated by a strict framework based on several criteria: the international trade criteria defined by the World Trade Organization (WTO); the criteria set out in bilateral agreements between Morocco and its various partners; and the criteria established by Morocco itself.