USA (Washington Insider Magazine) — Recently, it came to light that a substantial portion of Spain’s almond imports originate from the United States. This revelation surfaced amidst growing concerns voiced by La Unió regarding the potential health hazards linked to certain imports.
La Unió, a pioneer agricultural organization, reported three seizures in Spain in April. These were almonds imported from the USA that contained aflatoxins, posing a significant health risk as they can increase the risk of cancer.
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Union (Rasff) has warned about these almonds. The alerts detected at the border on April 3, 4, and 17 indicate aflatoxins above the permitted limits and raise concerns for consumer safety. The European authorities classified this as a “serious” health risk and thus imposed restrictions on these almond’s distribution in Spain.
Call for Stricter Controls
Responding to these findings, La Unió has called for boosted control and inspection measures for imported almonds. They advocate for automatic suspension of imports in cases where harmful substances are detected repeatedly over time, stressing the need to prioritize consumer safety.
Alarming Import Trends
The increase in almond imports from the United States happens when nougat producers ramp up production, notably for the summer and Christmas seasons. This surge in imports coincides with a collapse in negotiations between large industrial firms and agricultural organizations about fair prices for producers.
Impact on Local Producers
According to Levante, preferring imported almonds over domestically produced ones has voiced concerns about the livelihoods of local producers. Despite efforts to encourage the use of regionally derived almonds, the change in requirements to enable imports from any region worsened the situation.
As Spain grapples with increased almond imports and associated health risks, there is an urgent need for rigorous regulations and greater accountability in the food supply chain. Balancing consumer demand with the protection of public health and the interests of local producers remains a critical challenge for authorities and stakeholders alike.