馃嚬馃嚦TunisiaNorth Africa
Meknassy food poisoning deaths linked to toxic Nicotiana glauca plant
via Business News3 min read
Following a food poisoning incident in Meknassy, Sidi Bouzid governorate, ten days ago, two people died and several others required medical attention. The National Food Safety Agency INSSPA announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, that laboratory analyses revealed the presence of anabasine, a toxic substance, in a sample of "osbane" consumed by the victims. Traces were also found in the sauce and couscous, suggesting contamination during preparation. Experts believe the anabasine originated from the accidental inclusion of leaves from the wild plant Nicotiana glauca, also known as "tree tobacco." This plant, common in Mediterranean regions including North Africa, contains toxic alkaloids like anabasine, which can cause severe poisoning, affecting the nervous system, and leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, neurological disorders, respiratory difficulties, and heart rhythm disturbances. In severe cases, it can be fatal. A key danger is that Nicotiana glauca leaves can be mistaken for edible leafy greens like chard or spinach, especially when gathered from the wild or informal sources. The plant is an shrub, 2 to 6 meters tall, with thick, bluish-green, waxy leaves and bright yellow tubular flowers. Originating from South America, it is drought-resistant and grows in abandoned areas and roadsides. All parts of the plant are toxic. Health and botanical experts advise against consuming wild plants unless their identification is formally established
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
The Tunisian General Labor Union's department of public offices and enterprises has issued a warning regarding the state of the energy and water sectors. In a statement titled "Nations are not built with thirst and darkness," the union attributes current difficulties not to mere technical incidents or high temperatures, but to structural weaknesses accumulated over years. Recent power shedding by the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg due to record consumption during a heatwave has caused numerous outages. Simultaneously, disruptions in drinking water distribution have exacerbated public frustration. The UGTT views this situation as a "national signal" revealing deep-seated issues in public infrastructure, citing years of underinvestment, aging equipment, delayed strategic projects, and weak governance. The union believes Tunisian citizens are paying the price for past decisions, as disruptions impact daily life, health, economic activity, and educational institutions. However, the UGTT asserts that responsibility should not fall on employees of Steg and the National Water Exploitation and Distribution Company Sonede, whom it considers crucial for maintaining public service despite difficult conditions and limited resources. Instead, the union points to strategic choices, public policies, and overall resource management. Emphasizing water and electricity as fundamental rights and pillars of national security, the UGTT calls on the government to move from crisis managem
Tunisian Olympic and world champion Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui secured first place in the 200-meter freestyle at the Florida Summer Championships in the United States. The 23-year-old swimmer completed the distance in 1 minute 50.76 seconds, indicating his return to form ahead of upcoming international competitions. This victory is part of his preparation for the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, scheduled from August 21 to September 3, where he is expected to be a key medal hopeful for the Tunisian delegation. Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui gained international recognition by winning the gold medal in the 400m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. His achievements also include two world titles in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle, and a silver medal in the 400m freestyle at the Fukuoka 2023 World Championships. He also earned a silver medal in the 1,500m freestyle at the Abu Dhabi 2021 Short Course World Championships.
Tunisia and Algeria are enhancing their customs cooperation, focusing on facilitating the movement of people and goods, intensifying efforts against cross-border smuggling, and accelerating the digital transformation of procedures. This initiative was the central theme of the Tunisian-Algerian joint customs commission meeting held on July 16 and 17, 2026, at the headquarters of the Tunisian Customs Directorate General in Tunis. Discussions addressed border management challenges and economic exchange support, with both Tunisian and Algerian customs officials emphasizing the need for increased coordination to improve control efficiency while ensuring smoother movement for travelers and commercial flows. Key areas of focus included combating smuggling, particularly along shared land borders, and strengthening joint operational mechanisms through better cooperation, information exchange, and coordinated field teams. Economically, the commission highlighted reducing customs clearance times and quickly resolving issues faced by operators, acknowledging efforts to facilitate goods exchange under the mutual administrative cooperation agreement. The meeting also reviewed progress on agreements, including recommendations from the previous joint customs commission session in Algeria in May 2025. Modernizing customs services through digitalization was a common priority, aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing administrative delays, and strengthening commercial operation control. A twin