Used Clothing Craze in Morocco Raises Health Concerns: Experts Call for Stricter Regulation
While “bale” fashion booms across all income levels, health experts and lawmakers warn of hidden bacterial threats and economic damage from secondhand imports.
Watan-A large segment of Moroccans continues to embrace the purchase of secondhand clothing, popularly known in the local dialect as “bale” or “bali.”
The surge in demand for these massive bundles of used garments—mostly imported from Europe—is not limited to low-income or economically struggling individuals affected by rising prices. Even wealthier shoppers are joining the trend, seeking rare designer pieces, shoes, home textiles, or even used furniture.
Some influencers and public figures have even shared videos documenting their frequent visits to secondhand markets known for offering “bale” items.
A Growing Health Risk
“However, consumer protection associations are raising concerns about the hidden health risks linked to secondhand clothing. Bouazza Kharrati, president of the Moroccan Consumer Protection Association, warned that these imports may carry harmful diseases.”
He explained that in the 1950s, secondhand clothing entered the country as humanitarian aid under strict supervision. But now, the situation has changed.
Today, bale shipments arrive in large containers, and despite legal requirements that such imports be treated and accompanied by certification for customs clearance, many enter the market untreated—posing the risk of importing diseases from exporting countries.
Kharrati called for strict enforcement—or even a ban—on used clothing imports, citing both public health risks and unfair competition to local products. He warned that some vendors falsely present bale items as new, selling them at prices higher than used but lower than market rates, misleading consumers and hurting local industries.
Bacteria, Fungi, and Invisible Threats
Dr. Mariam Qaboul, a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery, emphasized that secondhand garments can harbor bacteria, fungi, and microscopic organisms similar to those found on animals—potentially causing serious skin conditions.
She added that doctors often struggle to identify the source of such infections, since they originate from foreign environments, requiring extensive diagnostic efforts.
Shoes, in particular, pose a higher health threat. Qaboul explained that it is extremely difficult to fully disinfect secondhand footwear, which may also be in poor condition—causing foot pain or other ailments without the user realizing the shoe is the source.
She urged consumers to avoid purchasing used shoes, wool, and leather clothing, given the difficulty of sterilizing these materials effectively.
Parliament Weighs In
The growing concern has now reached Morocco’s parliament. MP Fadwa Al-Hayani submitted a written question to Health Minister Amin Tahrawi, highlighting the lack of clear procedures for inspecting and disinfecting imported secondhand clothing before it reaches the market.
She warned of what she called a “silent health threat” posed by unregulated bale goods, especially in lower-income communities, where affordability often outweighs awareness of potential health dangers such as skin infections, fungi, or viruses.
