Indeed, consumers, having realised for a few months the degradation of the quality of this vital material, have denounced the fact that the subsidised flour which is distributed to them at the price of 50 dirhams for a 50 kg bag is not fit for consumption or would rather be dangerous because of the worms and other insects with which it is riddled.

These subsidised products intended for the inhabitants of the Saharan provinces, which include flour, cooking oil, sugar, and tea, are distributed each month to neighbourhood merchants who, in turn, are responsible for distributing them to citizens registered by the Moukataâ of these neighbourhoods. The merchants we interviewed confirmed to us that the consumers are right to complain because, they say, the products, notably the flour, are not fit for consumption. Adding that the officials of the OCE reserve quality flour only for active, or even fictitious, bakeries.

Faced with these protests, which are set to intensify, the Wali of the region has ordered an investigation to determine responsibilities and take the necessary measures.