In recent weeks, several serious cases of food poisoning have caused growing concern in Marrakech and Tangier, where dozens of people have had to be hospitalized after consuming suspect food. Faced with this situation, consumer associations are stepping up to the plate, warning of the health risks linked to the consumption of expired or poorly preserved products.
In Morocco, consumer rights organizations have long been concerned about the insufficient attention paid to expiration dates and the labeling of food products. According to the Moroccan Organization for Consumer Rights (OMDC), Moroccan consumers do not yet have the reflex to systematically check this essential information before purchasing, which increases their exposure to the risks of food contamination. The recent wave of poisonings highlights the serious consequences of this neglected habit.
Recent hospitalizations in Marrakech and Tangier have served as a reminder of the potential dangers of food products whose expiration dates have passed or are poorly indicated. In Marrakech, several people were admitted to the emergency room after consuming pastry products sold at reduced prices. In Tangier, a similar incident took place with food purchased on the local market, leading to severe symptoms among consumers.
Health authorities responded quickly, carrying out inspections and reminding traders of the importance of respecting hygiene and food safety standards. However, these incidents reveal a broader problem: the insufficient controls on products on sale in markets and supermarkets, as well as the lack of vigilance of consumers themselves.
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The Moroccan Consumer Rights Organization is calling for an intensification of awareness campaigns, involving the media and public broadcasters, to inform the public of the risks linked to expired products. Checking the expiration date should become a reflex for every consumer, especially since certain foods, even slightly expired, can contain dangerous bacteria or toxins.
“Citizens must be better informed of the risks they run by consuming expired products. It is urgent to strengthen information campaigns through the media, in order to reach as many Moroccans as possible,” declares a representative of the OMDC. Consumer associations also propose integrating modules on consumer rights into school programs, in order to develop this culture from an early age.
“Blind trust” in supermarkets
The Consumer Federation of the Souss-Massa region also points to a “culture of blind trust” among Moroccan consumers, especially when they shop in supermarkets. “Many consumers wrongly think that products sold in supermarkets are always safe and correctly labeled,” explains a member of the federation. However, this is not always the case. Although large brands are generally subject to controls, it can happen that expired or poorly preserved products still end up on the shelves.
This excessive confidence exposes consumers to dangers that could be avoided by increased vigilance. “Checking expiry dates and examining ingredients must become a reflex for every consumer,” recalls the Federation, insisting on the fact that certain substances, such as preservatives or chemical additives, can become harmful once their expiry date has passed.
Consumer organizations also denounce an increasingly common practice: certain wholesalers sell products close to their expiry date at low prices. These products are then bought back by retailers, who resell them without warning, often with misleading labeling. This practice, not only fraudulent but also dangerous, puts consumers at risk and demands a firm response from the authorities.
“It is crucial that public authorities strengthen controls and apply strict sanctions to discourage this type of practice,” adds the OMDC. Falsification of expiration dates, increasingly reported, requires rigorous intervention. To achieve this, the associations are calling for preventive measures, in particular the implementation of regular checks and reinforced inspection campaigns to ensure the safety of food products available on the market.
