The Media Center of the National Food Safety Authority issued its 30th weekly report for the year 2024, for the period from August 10-16, which included many different activities as follows:
Activities of the Authority’s various departments:
The General Administration for Factory Control carried out 116 inspection missions on food factories in all governorates of the Republic during the past week.
The number of inspection, inspection and accreditation visits carried out by the Control Department on filling stations and centres amounted to 34 visits, and the Department issued 403 export permits for agricultural products for 375 exporting companies.
The number of exported food shipments, according to the report of the General Administration Information Center for both exports and imports at the Authority, amounted to 4,140 shipments, amounting to about 210,000 tons, an increase of 35,000 tons over the previous week, for 1,440 exporting companies, ranging from 605 types of vegetables, flour, and various food products.
Beans topped the list of Egyptian vegetables exported with 15 thousand tons, followed by sweet potatoes with a total of 12 thousand tons, then frozen mixed vegetables with a total of 11 thousand tons. The total number of exported vegetable varieties reached 72 varieties with about 45 thousand tons.
Mango topped the list of exported fruits during the past week with a total of 12 thousand tons, followed by strawberries with a total of 8 thousand tons, then pomegranates with a total of 6 thousand tons. The total number of exported fruit varieties reached 63 varieties with about 35 thousand tons.
Thailand, Sudan, Madagascar and Saudi Arabia were the largest recipients of Egyptian exports last week out of a total of 160 importing countries.
Alexandria Port ranked first in the number of food shipments exported from it, with a total of 700 shipments, followed by Safaga Port with 605 shipments, then Cairo Airport Port with a total of 500 shipments.
The number of incoming food shipments reached 1990 shipments with about 330 thousand tons for 845 importing companies, varying between 176 types of wheat, soybeans, broad beans and various oils from 87 countries. Russia was the largest exporting country to Egypt, followed by France, Ukraine, Australia and America.
Alexandria Port came in first place in the number of food shipments received, with a total of 644 shipments, followed by Cairo Airport Port, which came in second place with 330 shipments, then Sokhna Port with a total of 272 shipments.
The General Administration for Registration and Licensing of Special Foods registered 63 products and 11 companies, carried out 5 inspection visits, inspected 800 new products, and issued 16 free sale certificates.
The Strategic Commodities Department carried out 1 inspection visit to wheat storage sites in Alexandria Governorate, and 1 other inspection visit to rice mills in Beheira Governorate.
The total number of complaints received by the Authority amounted to 51 complaints from various complaint receiving bodies (the electronic portal of the unified government complaints system – the Council of Ministers), the Consumer Protection Agency, in addition to complaints submitted directly to the Authority. 28 complaints were closed and 23 complaints are being examined.
The Complaints Management Team launched campaigns on 399 food establishments to ensure the safety of food products displayed in the governorates of Ismailia, Sharqia, Aswan, Luxor, Assiut, Beheira, Minya, Beni Suef and Tenth of Ramadan, while taking all necessary corrective measures in the event of any observations related to food safety requirements.
With regard to the activities of the Commercial Chains Control Department, 66 control missions were carried out on branches of commercial chains to ensure that these facilities meet food safety requirements in a number of governorates of the Republic.
468 public establishments with food activities were registered, and the Public Establishments Registration and Licensing Department conducted 361 inspections of public establishments, while 305 establishments met the requirements of the National Food Safety Authority during the past week.
The Storage Facilities Control Department carried out 22 inspection missions on food warehouses in the governorates of Qalyubia, Gharbia, Cairo, Damietta, Sohag, Alexandria, Assiut, Sharqia, Fayoum, Beheira, Red Sea, New Valley and Minya. Seven school feeding warehouses were also inspected in the governorates of Assiut, Sohag and the Red Sea.
Regarding the management of milk suppliers, 13 inspection missions were carried out on milking parlors and milk collection centers in the governorates of Gharbia, Alexandria, Beni Suef, Cairo, Giza and Sharkia.
Regarding the management of licenses and supervision of tourist facilities, 43 visits were made, including periodic supervision and inspection of licenses in the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, the Red Sea and Luxor.
The Mobile Food Units Administration carried out 22 inspection missions on food units in the governorates of Cairo, Gharbia, Qalyubia, Assiut, Sharqia, Giza and Dakahlia.
The Authority’s Grievance Committee examined 544 grievance requests received from various ports.
The General Administration of Slaughterhouses conducted 11 inspection visits to poultry and ostrich slaughterhouses and intestine factories, in addition to 69 visits to follow up on the manufacture of natural animal packaging in intestine factories. The administration issued 33 export permits for natural animal packaging to European Union countries after taking samples and ensuring that they comply with the requirements.
The Food Contact Materials Factory Control Department carried out 5 inspection missions in the governorates of Gharbia, Qalyubia, Giza and Sharkia.
Within the framework of developing the performance of the Authority’s supervisory and technical inspectors, a training program was held on the inspection lists for food-contact materials and tools over the course of two days, August 7 and 12.
The General Administration for Fish and Aquatic Products Control carried out 41 inspection visits to fishing boats/vessels, fish factories and suppliers, export companies and processing units in various governorates of the Republic.
The Authority’s inspection campaigns on markets in various governorates:
Within the framework of the Authority’s branches’ efforts to tighten and tighten control over food establishments, in implementation of the directives of Dr. Tarek El-Hobi, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority, to ensure the safety of food products on display and to preserve the health of consumers in various governorates,
The Food Safety Branch in Gharbia Governorate launched 28 extensive inspection campaigns on 230 food establishments to ensure the implementation of food safety requirements in various cities and centers of the governorate (Tanta, Zifta, Qutour, Basion, Santa, Kafr El-Zayat, El-Mahalla, Samanoud). These campaigns resulted in the seizure of 1 ton of red pepper containing live insects, 500 packages of salt classified as commercial fraud, 300 packages of an industrial drink unfit for human consumption, and issuing reports of lack of health requirements for violating food establishments.
Within the framework of the awareness and educational role of the National Food Safety Authority to raise public awareness towards improving food safety measures and promoting healthy food practices, a number of food establishments were visited.
65 corrective measures were implemented, and instructions were given to adhere to food safety requirements in these facilities, and 19 prosecution decisions were implemented.
Large-scale campaigns were also participated in with the governorate, the Supply Directorate, the Supply Investigations, the Veterinary Medicine Directorate, and the Health Directorate. These campaigns resulted in the issuance of 70 reports, ranging from reports of lack of health requirements, to the seizure and withdrawal of samples of a quantity of food items suspected of being unfit for human consumption (meat, spices, pastries). All the seized items were kept in custody to take legal action.
Food was also inspected and examined at rehabilitation and reform centers in the governorate.
The Food Safety Branch in Damietta Governorate launched 5 joint inspection campaigns with (the Supply Directorate, Veterinary Medicine, Health, Consumer Protection Agency, and the Environment Department at the General Diwan) on 28 food establishments within the scope of Kafr Saad Center and City.
These campaigns resulted in the destruction of 271 kg of various expired and unhealthy food items. The destruction process was carried out in the presence of representatives of the Food Safety Authority and members of the formed committee.
The Food Safety Branch in Fayoum Governorate visited 56 food establishments in the industrial zone of Kom Oshim, and within the scope of the centers (Tamia, Senouris, Abshway, Youssef El-Siddiq), some of them in coordination with the Consumer Protection Agency in the governorate, the Directorates of Supply and Veterinary Medicine, and the Tourism Promotion Authority. Those in charge of them were made aware of the role and responsibilities of the Authority and directed to register with the Authority and obtain a food handling license.
3260 kg of local flour for local bakeries were also seized in an unlicensed mill that was repackaging it into sacks for the purpose of selling it to consumers. 7 reports were issued for slaughtering outside slaughterhouses, a quantity of meat was seized, a forged stamp was seized to stamp that meat, and the ink used was seized. 6 reports were issued for a quantity of meat unfit for human consumption in 6 butcher shops.
450 kg of food products of unknown origin were seized in an unlicensed food facility. Reports were issued to three food facilities for operating without a license.
The Food Safety Branch in Dakahlia Governorate carried out 18 inspection campaigns, some of which were joint with other regulatory authorities (the Presidency of the City Council, the Health Directorate, Veterinary Medicine, Supply, Supply Investigations, Environment), where 126 food establishments were visited in centers and some villages within the governorate (Mansoura, Mit Ghamr, Al-Gamaleya), and these campaigns resulted in the destruction of a quantity of spoiled food and others that appeared to have changed in properties, and the issuance of 107 reports (lack of health certificates, commercial fraud, seizure, lack of licenses, lack of health requirements, failure to announce prices).
The Food Safety Branch in Menoufia Governorate launched 18 inspection campaigns on 67 food establishments in some cities, centers and villages of the governorate (Shibin El Kom, Berket El Sabaa, Tala, Qwesna, Ashmoun, Menouf, El Shohadaa, El Sadat, El Bagour). These campaigns resulted in the seizure of a quantity of various food products that had expired and were unfit for human consumption. All of these products were destroyed in the presence of a committee of inspectors from the National Food Safety Authority.
The Food Safety Authority branch in Sohag Governorate launched 5 inspection campaigns on 14 food establishments within the governorate’s cities and centers (Nasser City, East District, Akhmim Center). These campaigns resulted in the destruction of a quantity of expired food items and some products of unknown origin with changes in their apparent properties. Pledges were taken from food establishments not registered with the Authority to register, complete licensing procedures, and implement food safety requirements.
The Food Safety Branch in Minya Governorate launched 10 campaigns on 23 food establishments, which resulted in the destruction of a quantity of expired food products with apparent spoilage and changes in natural properties, issuing a report for non-compliance with food safety requirements and the lack of health certificates. Pledges were also taken from establishments not registered with the Authority to register and implement food safety requirements.
The Food Safety Authority branch in Aswan Governorate launched 12 joint inspection campaigns with (the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Supply Investigations, the Consumer Protection Agency, the Health Directorate, and the Environment), where 31 food establishments were visited. These campaigns resulted in issuing destruction reports for a quantity of various expired food items that were unfit for human consumption. Food establishment owners were also educated on improving food safety measures, and undertakings were taken to implement the necessary requirements and register with the National Food Safety Authority.
لمطالعة المزيد: موقع السفير وللتواصل تابعنا علي فيسبوك الدبلوماسي اليوم و يوتيوب الدبلوماسي اليوم.
