The Spanish authorities have issued a warning about a shipment of peppers from Morocco, after suspecting higher-than-specified levels of «residues of a dangerous insecticide, not authorized in the European Union», according to the newspaper La Razón. The insecticide in question is chlorpyrifos, detected during a routine border check. The European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has reportedly notified a «potential health risk level» associated with the peppers. Analyses carried out on the bell peppers, according to the media, showed «the presence of chlorpyrifos at a level of 0.21 ± 0.105 mg/kg - ppm, whereas the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by Europe is 0.010 mg/kg – ppm». This is not the first time concerns have been raised about pesticide content in Moroccan produce entering Europe. In 2021, peppers exported from Morocco were seized in Germany and the Czech Republic for exceeding pesticide limits. Spanish media have previously reported the presence of pesticide residues in Moroccan vegetables and fruit. A few months ago, concerns about hepatitis A in strawberries led to analyses by Moroccan health authorities. The The National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA) consistently maintains that the shipments in question, and the red fruit sold on the national market, are safe for consumption. Following the persistent dissemination of false information on social media, despite denials from the Moroccan health authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that legal proceedings would be considered.
