The French Ministry of Agriculture confirmed today, Tuesday, that the Algerian chocolate spread “Marjan” – which has achieved great popularity on social networks in France – is banned in the European Union.
The ministry told AFP that an investigation is currently underway to determine the reasons for the continued presence of this product on the French market.
She pointed out that “in light of Algeria’s failure to meet all the necessary conditions” to allow it to “export goods containing milk derivatives intended for human consumption to the European Union in accordance with European requirements relating to animal health and food safety,” “the import of this commodity is not permitted under the applicable regulatory framework.”
The French supermarket giant “Carrefour” announced last Thursday that it wants to “launch coral products made by the Algerian company “Sibon” in its stores within two to four weeks.”
The French Ministry of Agriculture noted that an investigation had been opened “to determine the fraudulent mechanisms that may have so far allowed this product to be placed on the local market.”
According to the same source, “two shipments of ‘Marjan’ products are currently being held at French border checkpoints.
French media, including Le Monde, quoted the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday as saying that the ban was imposed to investigate the continued presence of Algerian chocolate in its markets.
The spreadable “Marjan” chocolate has received a lot of media coverage in France, especially in light of the great popularity it has achieved through the accounts of influencers on social media networks.
In France, Nutella, made by the giant Ferrero, is the leader in this field, capturing more than three-quarters of the spreadable chocolate market in supermarkets, according to data from the sector’s federation.
Ferrero told AFP it sold “nearly 90 million jars of Nutella in France” last year, or just under 3 jars (2.85) every second.
Algerian media reported that the French authorities had prevented a shipment of Algerian “Marjan” chocolate from entering the European market, noting that the decision was due to “the product not being in compliance with European Union regulations.”
According to a report by the local channel “Al Wataniya”, French authorities seized containers filled with the product at the port of Marseille, raising questions about the reasons for the ban.
This chocolate has become very popular on social media platforms in France and some European Union countries, and demand for it has increased in the past few weeks.
France is a major consumer of chocolate spread worldwide, while social media influencers considered the French decision wrong.
