Spanish authorities have issued a health alert, via the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), concerning melons imported from Morocco. Analysis conducted at a border control point revealed dangerous levels of the pesticide chlorpyrifos in these melons, surpassing permissible limits.
This incident comes on the heels of a similar alert just a month prior, involving strawberries from Morocco contaminated with hepatitis A, posing a serious risk to consumers. The RASFF system flagged the Moroccan watermelons as “potentially dangerous” due to excessive chlorpyrifos levels, an organophosphate insecticide commonly used in agriculture.
While the alert halted melon distribution in Spain, it lacked vital details such as the affected Moroccan region, the brand, or the farm of origin. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from consumer protection organization FACUA, citing it fosters unwarranted suspicion towards all Moroccan melons.
FACUA stresses that without specific information, consumers are unable to identify and avoid potentially contaminated products. They urge the RASFF system to provide more detailed alerts in the future to enhance consumer safety.
