صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
AlgeriaA wave of rumors circulating on social media regarding cases of food poisoning linked to the consumption of red watermelon sparked widespread controversy in Algeria, after it was directly reflected in the decline in demand for purchasing this fruit, causing major losses to farmers and merchants during the peak harvest season.
These conditions prompted a number of farmers to document video clips from inside their fields, in which they appeared eating watermelon in front of the camera, in an attempt to reassure consumers and deny the circulating allegations, while others were forced to offer their crops for free for fear of damage to them after the decline in demand.
Although the health authorities in a number of states denied the existence of cases of poisoning directly linked to the consumption of red watermelon, the issue brought back to the forefront the debate about the safety of agricultural products and the need to tighten control over production and distribution chains, especially in light of the recording of separate food poisoning incidents in the country in recent years, some of which were linked to storage conditions or poor food preservation, and not necessarily to the agricultural product itself.
Trade departments also clarified that prohibiting the sale of red watermelon cut into parts falls within the measures to prevent food contamination, especially with rising temperatures, stressing that the decision does not mean there is a danger in the fruit itself.
For their part, consumer protection associations called for not to be led by undocumented news, stressing that proving the safety or otherwise of products is done through laboratory analyzes and health oversight, and not through posts circulating on social media platforms.
Observers believe that the spread of rumors regarding food safety issues may have serious economic repercussions on thousands of farmers, but at the same time they reveal the need to enhance transparency and oversight, and accelerate official communication with public opinion whenever concerns are raised regarding consumer health and the quality of food products.
Source:“My press”
