Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
AN Alicante fruit and vegetable distributor could be fined up to €3 million for a scam involving bananas.
The company is accused of selling bananas that are not premium Canary Island platanos.
Guardia Civil reported that the company sold 2,000 tons worth of bananas alone in 2023, without any documentation to prove where they came from.
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Platanos, which are native to the Canaries, are smaller than bananas from other parts of the world and they grow on trees six months instead of three.
The sweeter and more savoury flavours, combined with the lower sodium and carbohydrate content, make these a healthier alternative.
This makes a platano more appealing to the majority of palates, but it’s also significantly more expensive.
A Canary Islands trade association filed a complaint at the Guardia Civil regarding the fake platanos, and the Alicante Province firm that had its distribution licence suspended.
The group thought that Portuguese bananas are being marketed under the name platanos.
Guardia conducted inspections of the company, as well as the businesses that sold the products in Alicante Bilbao Valencia and Vigo.
The distributor has confirmed receiving several banana consignments in Madiera from which he switched labels.
The company has been accused of falsifying documentation to deceive authorities and buyers.
The matter has been handed over to the San Vicente del Raspeig investigating court which can dole out fines ranging from €4,001 to as much as €3 million.
