#contamination #Moroccan #strawberries #hepatitis
The European Union has activated its Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) following the detection of hepatitis A contamination in strawberries imported from Morocco. The notification, issued on February 14, indicates a risk described as “serious” and mentions the presence of Norovirus genotype II in these fruits.
The discovery was made at a checkpoint in Spain, where analyzes revealed that contamination levels exceeded the maximum permitted threshold. The European Union expresses its concern, emphasizing the danger this situation represents for public health, potentially caused by the use of wastewater for crop irrigation.
In response, the Moroccan authorities recalled that exported strawberries are systematically subject to rigorous health controls. They also highlighted that similar measures are taken for other fruits and vegetables when health alerts are issued in other third countries, in order to guarantee the safety of European consumers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recalls that hepatitis A is an infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated water or food.
This alert comes in a context of increased tensions regarding agricultural imports from Morocco. Spanish farmers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the commercial practices of the Moroccan agricultural sector, highlighting concerns over trade fairness and compliance with European health standards.
Spanish farmers perceive imports of Moroccan products that do not meet EU health requirements as a threat to their own industry. The protests highlight ongoing friction between Spanish producers and the Moroccan agricultural market, particularly over fair trade and compliance with European standards.
