Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) has revoked the health licenses of a Casablanca-based food company after uncovering serious food safety violations, including the sale of expired and adulterated products.
In a written response to Parliament member Nadia El Tahami of the Party of Progress and Socialism, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water, and Forests Ahmed El Bouari disclosed that ONSSA had issued 14,138 licenses and health accreditations to food sector businesses by the end of 2024.
These authorizations, El Bouari said, are subject to regular inspections by ONSSA’s regional branches to ensure ongoing compliance with food hygiene and safety standards.
Serious Infractions in Casablanca
The minister cited a recent case that drew public attention: tons of spoiled and expired food items were seized from a company in Casablanca’s industrial zone. An investigation by a local joint inspection committee, in which ONSSA participated, revealed that the company had falsified expiration dates on several food products including honey, sauces, animal feed, and biscuits.
Following the findings, ONSSA took additional enforcement measures, revoking the health licenses of the company’s storage facilities and ordering the seizure and destruction of the fraudulent products.
In a broader response, ONSSA issued internal instructions to its regional directorates to intensify inspections of all products bearing the implicated company’s brand, especially during local inspection campaigns. The aim is to detect and confiscate counterfeit goods and pursue legal action where necessary.
Toward a Modern Inspection Model
El Bouari emphasized that ensuring food safety and consumer health remains a top priority. He outlined ONSSA’s shift to a modern surveillance model, moving beyond end-product testing to a comprehensive system that monitors the entire production chain, from source to point of sale.
“This new approach includes granting licenses and health approvals only to businesses that meet strict hygiene and safety requirements,” the minister explained. It also involves product traceability mechanisms to identify and withdraw hazardous or non-compliant items.
He added that ONSSA’s monitoring extends to all retail outlets, including supermarkets, traditional markets, and weekly souks, where food products are regularly inspected by local joint committees operating under the authority of provincial governors and regional officials.
Annual Surveillance and Legal Compliance
El Bouari also noted that ONSSA carries out annual monitoring and sampling programs to ensure compliance with existing food safety laws, stressing that these programs are designed to verify that all food operators meet legal and regulatory standards.
The ministry’s response reflects Morocco’s ongoing efforts to improve public health protection, strengthen regulatory oversight, and hold violators accountable in a sector critical to both domestic consumption and export.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.