July 26, 2025 – 13:50 –
World
Spanish agricultural organizations COAG and Consumer Federation Cecu have lodged a formal complaint with the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The complaint targets Carrefour for allegedly selling cherry tomatoes labeled as Moroccan, which the organizations assert originate from the Western Sahara.
These organizations deem this practice unacceptable and are calling for an official investigation. They suggest that sanctions should be imposed on the companies involved if consumer deception is confirmed. “Products from the Western Sahara are being marketed as Moroccan, which contravenes consumer law as established by the European Court of Justice,” the statement reads. “We must ascertain if this is a intentional attempt to obscure the true origin. Such practices not only mislead consumers but also unfairly disadvantage European growers through competitive imbalance.”
Also read: Complaint against Morocco in the making in Europe
Among the companies implicated is Azura, which manages over 400 hectares of greenhouses in the Moroccan Sahara. Their cherry tomatoes are reportedly sold with a ‘morocco’ label in various European supermarkets, including Carrefour in Spain. Similar instances have reportedly surfaced in France. Andrés Góngora of COAG stated, “These practices harm both consumers and growers and warrant thorough scrutiny.” He further commented, “Even though the company cultivates in the Western Sahara, we have never observed labels indicating this. European regulations mandate origin disclosure and verification by certifying authorities. This is the only way to accurately determine the provenance of these imports.”
Also read: Lidl sells Israeli avocados as Moroccan
In a related development, the European Court of justice ruled on October 4 that products, including melons and tomatoes, cultivated in the Sahara must be labeled accordingly.
7 · Compliance & Disclaimers
This article discusses trade practices and potential consumer deception related to product origin. It does not constitute legal or financial advice.
8 · Call-to-Action
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