Pedara: control activities in the agri-food sector to protect public health.

As part of the strengthening of controls in environmental and food matters, aimed at to combat illegality in the agri-food sector and protect public health, The Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Catania have intensified inspections throughout the territory, with the aim of preventing the marketing of food products that are dangerous to the health of consumers and ensuring compliance with health and hygiene regulations.

In this operational context, the Carabinieri of the Acireale Company and of the dependent Pedara Station, with the help of the inspectors of Noras (Regional Agri-food Operations Unit of Sicily) of the Forestry Corps of the Sicilian Region and of the veterinarians of the ASP, Department of Veterinary Prevention of the Gravina district, they conducted an important activity in the Tarderia area of ​​the municipality of Pedara, during which they reported a 65-year-old from the place for the crimes of “violation of the regulations on food safety, unauthorized exercise of commercial activities and possession of food in conditions that do not comply with hygiene and health standards”.

Specifically, the 65-year-old was checked on the road while he was selling some food items at a stall. The check revealed that the man was without any authorization which would enable him to sell food.

Following this preliminary verification, the military of the Arma and the inspectors of the Forestry Corps and the ASP decided to carry out further investigations at the warehouses used by the "trader", during which the investigators were able to verify that the premises where he stored the food which he then intended for retail sale were dilapidated, lacking adequate closures and located in a context of total degradation. Furthermore, the food was stored in an environment surrounded by waste of all kinds and, therefore, absolutely lacking the minimum health requirements required by law.

Considering that the state in which the premises were presented represented a risk to the health of consumers and a potential source of contamination, The officers seized all the food stored there for subsequent destruction, consisting of approximately 500 kg of cheese, both fresh and mature, 45 kg of fresh mushrooms and 48 eggs. These are all foods stored in conditions unsuitable for sale and, therefore, destined for subsequent destruction according to the procedures established by current legislation.

The illegal sale of such products without the necessary authorizations poses significant risks to the health of consumers. Foods that are poorly stored or handled in poor hygienic conditions can be contaminated by dangerous bacteria, such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli, capable of causing serious poisoning and infectious diseases. Cheeses that are not treated properly and mushrooms that are picked without the necessary controls can also lead to poisoning, putting public health at risk.

This operation is part of a broader framework of surveillance activities, aimed at protecting public health and preventing food fraud, activities conducted in synergy between the Carabinieri of the Provincial Command of Catania, the Forestry Corps and the competent health authorities. The checks will continue to combat the illegal sale of food products and ensure compliance with health and hygiene regulations in the area.

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