Moroccan Ministry Refutes Hepatitis A Contamination Allegations in Strawberries

Monday 11 March 2024 - 11:43

The Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests has unequivocally dismissed swirling rumors propagated across certain media platforms and social networks alleging the presence of the Hepatitis A virus in Moroccan strawberries.

In an official statement released on Sunday, the Ministry vehemently rebuffed these baseless assertions, asserting that despite repeated rebuttals and clarifications issued by the National Office of Food Health Safety (ONSSA) subsequent to extensive analyses, these erroneous claims persist, originating from entities with apparent motives to besmirch the reputation of Moroccan agricultural exports.

As per the Ministry's announcement, upon receiving reports of a potential health concern pertaining to a shipment of Moroccan strawberries destined for overseas markets, ONSSA promptly initiated an inquiry to pinpoint the affected field and packaging facility, as well as to trace the implicated batch.

Revealing the findings of the investigation, the Ministry disclosed that ONSSA conducted thorough examinations at the production site of the aforementioned strawberry batch to assess its quality and ascertain any potential health hazards. Laboratory assessments yielded negative results for Hepatitis A, with no evidence of contamination in the irrigation water. Furthermore, stringent sanitary protocols were confirmed to be in place for field workers to ensure the hygienic integrity of the strawberries.

Underlining the nation's unwavering commitment to food safety, the Ministry assured the public of the sanitary integrity of strawberries and all Moroccan agricultural produce. It underscored the diligent enforcement of ONSSA's annual surveillance plan within the domestic market, encompassing extensive sampling of red fruits to verify their adherence to health standards and safety protocols.

The Ministry underscored its intent to pursue legal recourse against those responsible for disseminating false allegations, while also pledging to combat misinformation regarding national agricultural products in accordance with existing legislation.

Consumers were urged to exercise prudence and rely on authoritative sources for information concerning food safety, with ONSSA reaffirming its dedication to upholding the safety and quality of food items across Morocco.