فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat, October 30, 2025 – The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat ordered the opening of a preliminary judicial investigation regarding allegations of manipulation in the flour subsidy system, following controversial statements made by MP Ahmed Touizi, head of the Authenticity and Modernity Party group in the House of Representatives. This investigation comes amid discussions on the 2026 finance bill, as Touizi raised concerns about potential corruption in the subsidy system valued at 16.8 billion dirhams annually, prompting public and official demands for immediate probes to ensure the safety of the subsidized food product.
Background and Development of the Controversy
Touizi made his remarks during a session of the Finance and Economic Development Committee on October 28, 2025, accusing some milling companies of “grinding paper only” and presenting it as subsidized wheat consumed by poor categories, emphasizing the lack of effective state oversight. His statement, broadcast live, sparked outrage and questions, with some interpreting it literally as food fraud threatening public health. This led to widespread rumors on social media and calls for urgent investigations from consumer protection associations.
In a later clarification, Touizi said the phrase “grinding paper” was metaphorical in Moroccan dialect, referring to document or invoice manipulation to obtain public subsidies without actual wheat milling, and not a physical mixing of paper with flour, which he called “economically illogical” given paper’s higher cost than flour. However, he lamented the distortion of his words and warned against a “mill lobby” trying to divert the discussion from quality issues like the use of poor-quality wheat containing impurities or small stones, calling for radical reform directing subsidies directly to citizens via the unified social registry.
Public Prosecutor’s Actions and Involved Parties’ Roles
The Public Prosecutor tasked the National Judicial Police Brigade with preliminary investigations to verify the accuracy of these allegations, focusing on subsidy disbursement mechanisms and reported production quantities. A judicial source said the inquiry aims to uncover any violations, whether administrative forgery or food fraud, within the 16.8 billion dirham subsidy budget ensuring bread is sold cheaply to the poor.
The National Federation of Mills held an emergency meeting on October 29, condemning the accusations and affirming that the sector is under strict control by the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), denying any economic feasibility of “grinding paper.” The federation expressed readiness to help uncover the truth, calling the allegations defamatory. Meanwhile, government spokesman Mustapha Baitas stressed that the prosecutor’s investigation is sufficient without further governmental intervention, emphasizing the need to await judicial processes before any actions.
Timeline of Key Developments
| Date | Key Event | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2025 | Touizi’s Parliamentary Statement | Accusation of “grinding paper” as a metaphor for forgery to get subsidies. |
| October 29, 2025 | Touizi’s Clarification & Federation Meeting | Confirmation of metaphorical meaning; denial of literal fraud. |
| October 30, 2025 | Public Prosecutor’s Decision | Opening of judicial investigation; police tasked with inquiry. |
| October 30, 2025 | Government Position | Affirmation that judicial procedures suffice; no added government intervention. |
Public Reaction and Demands
The controversy sparked significant social media reactions, with thousands demanding Touizi be held accountable if the accusations prove false, while others viewed his statement as exposing real corruption necessitating reforms. Activists posted tweets calling for “urgent investigations to ensure food security,” using hashtags like #PaperFlour and #Touizi. The Moroccan Consumer Protection Observatory expressed “deep concern,” urging Touizi to present evidence and framing the issue as a threat to citizen safety.
Implications and Prospects for Reform
This case reveals deep challenges in Morocco’s food subsidy system designed to guarantee subsidized bread availability for the poor but suffering from oversight and transparency flaws. The ongoing investigation is a first step toward uncovering possible administrative fraud or product quality issues, potentially pushing the government to adopt reforms such as direct consumer subsidies. Awaiting investigative results will clarify whether the allegations reflect real corruption or were metaphorical statements causing unjustified turmoil, while the debate demonstrates growing public awareness demanding accountability.
