Consumer Protection Steps In: Mustapha Zebdi Denounces EU Ban on El Mordjene as Economic Protectionism, Vows Decisive Action

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | September 13th, 2024 — A controversy has ignited following the European Union’s decision to block a shipment of the widely popular Algerian spread, El Mordjene, sparking outrage and raising questions of economic protectionism. The ban, which particularly affects France and several other European countries, has been met with strong condemnation from Mustapha Zebdi, the president of the Algerian Consumer Protection Organization (APO). Zebdi lambasted the move as unjust and financially motivated, accusing the EU of using regulatory measures to protect its own markets from competition.

Taking to social media on Friday, Zebdi voiced his discontent, accusing the European Union of manipulating regulations to serve its economic interests. He specifically referenced Article 20, Paragraph 3 of EU Regulation No. 2020/2292, under which the ban was enacted. In a sharply critical statement posted on his Facebook page, Zebdi denounced the sudden enforcement of these rules. “This product had been accepted and sold in their markets without issue,” he noted, “but as soon as it began to pose a threat to their cherished domestic products, they quickly conducted analyses and devised regulations to exclude it.”

El Mordjene, a popular Algerian spread that has seen growing demand internationally, now finds itself at the center of what Zebdi argues is a deliberate attempt by the EU to stifle foreign competition under the guise of regulatory compliance. The decision to halt its importation has stirred significant concern in Algeria, with calls for immediate and decisive responses to the ban. Zebdi further stressed that the APO is monitoring the situation closely and assured that the organization will take a firm position once it secures official documentation outlining the EU’s justification for this measure.

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