Authorities Crack Down on Food Safety Violations in Casablanca
In a concerted effort to ensure food safety during the holy month of Ramadan, the joint commission responsible for monitoring food prices and quality in the Al Fida-Mers Sultan district of Casablanca has ramped up its operations. Since the beginning of Ramadan until March 9, 2026, these teams have destroyed over 320 kilograms of food products deemed unfit for consumption and recorded 102 violations during their inspections, particularly at the well-known Garage Allal market.
Accompanied by Le360 at the Garage Allal market, the commission continues its daily rounds, especially during this sensitive period for food markets. Their primary goal is to assess the quality of the products available for sale and ensure compliance with health regulations. This commission comprises various concerned services, including the municipal hygiene office, the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), security services, and auxiliary authorities. Together, they inspect sales points, examine storage conditions, and work to prevent any speculation or fraudulent practices.
During one of their inspections, agents stopped at a food establishment where several boxes of dates were promptly removed from the shelf. Abdellah Zarki, an official in charge of inspections, stated, "We intervened in this establishment as part of our control operations and observed a quantity of spoiled dates. Even if the expiration date has not yet passed, these dates may have been exposed to sunlight or oxidation, affecting their quality. They emit an unpleasant odor that any consumer would reject." The agents proceeded to destroy the compromised products on-site.
Further along, the attention of the commission was drawn to containers of smen (a type of clarified butter). The lack of a label, no commercial brand, and the absence of a visible expiration date raised significant concerns. Zarki noted, "We are dealing with a product of unknown origin, lacking a commercial brand and expiration date, and it has no health authorization." Consequently, approximately 18 kilograms of unfit smen were removed from the shelves, with the law permitting ONSSA agents to destroy such products directly on the premises.
In addition to product quality, the inspections also address administrative aspects. In another establishment, the owner was unable to present purchase invoices, leading to an infraction for the failure to display these documents, suggesting that the products may have originated from unauthorized channels. An official report was generated and sent to the prosecutor's office for further legal action.
Since the beginning of the month, the joint commission has destroyed a total of at least 320 kilograms of spoiled food products. During the same period, 102 infractions have been noted, one establishment has faced an administrative suspension, and 16 warnings or notices have been issued to merchants urging compliance with hygiene and safety regulations.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
