September 21st marked the end of summer and with it the conclusion of the “Healthy Summer 2025” campaign launched in June by the NAS Carabinieri ‒ on the indication of the Ministry of Health and General Command of the Carabinieri - For protect public health and verify compliance with the quality and safety of the services offered not only to vacationers but also to those who were unable to enjoy this period because assisted in hospital or in nursing homes.

Overall, the following have been carried out: 3.563 inspections at agritourism facilities, beach resorts, tourist villages, social welfare facilities, wellness centers, catering establishments on highways and communication routes, and transit areas (ports, airports and stations) as well asstreet food activities.
The checks have highlighted 1.331 non-compliant situations (Equal to 37% of checks), with the 1.291 people reported to the competent administrative and judicial authorities, and the ascertainment of 2.146 total violations. They were also carried out 20 restrictive measures on personal freedom.

During the activities:

• have been contested 183 criminal violations and 1.963 administrative sanctions, for a total amount more than 1,5 million euros;
• were Non-compliant food and drinks seized, for an estimated commercial value ofover 38 million euros.

The sectors most affected by irregularities appear to be the street food, with 327 violations out of 691 checks, and social-welfare facilities, with 255 irregularities out of 852 checks.

Particular attention, in fact, was also dedicated to the checks following the recent alarm for cases of botulism associated with the consumption of preserves and artisanal preparations.

The NAS Carabinieri have intensified targeted checks on ensure compliance with food production, storage and traceability standards, in order to avoid serious risks to public health.

In the context of health protection in wellness centers and beauty salons, the checks also concerned the correct application of the recent legislation that prohibits the use of toxic substances in aesthetic nail treatments. The inspection activity allowed us to identify and sanction non-compliant practices, ensuring greater safety for consumers.

In fact, since last September 1st, a new European Union regulation has come into force which prohibits the marketing and use in cosmetic products, including gels and nail polishes, of TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) and DMTA (Dimethyltolylamine): These substances have been classified as CMR 1B (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Toxic to Reproduction) due to potential health risks, particularly reproductive toxicity. The ban requires these products to be withdrawn from the market and for manufacturers and industry professionals to seek safer alternatives.

Once again the operation “Healthy Summer 2025” confirms the Carabinieri's ongoing commitment, through the Health Protection Command and in compliance with the indications of the Ministry of Health, in ensuring high standards of food safety, prevent health risks and combat the use of prohibited substances, contributing significantly to the protecting the health of citizens and tourists.

Among the main activities carried out, the following are reported:

NAS Bologna: seized 674 kg of canned goods and fruit juices at risk of botulism. Activity suspended due to serious hygiene and sanitation irregularities.

The NAS Carabinieri of Bologna have carried out targeted checks at companies and factories producing canned vegetables, in light of recent news stories that have brought attention to the risk of botulism. In particular, in the second half of August an inspection was carried out at a Bolognese farm, active in the production and sale of jams and fruit juices.

The checks allowed us to find the total inadequacy of the pasteurization procedures adopted, which do not guarantee the safety of the preserves and expose consumers to the concrete risk of developing botulinum toxin.

During operations have been found:

• hundreds of glass jars already used several times, in some cases still dirty, destined for refilling;

• numerous containers of homemade jams, without labels and non-compliant, some of which had lost their vacuum seal;
• over 1.500 jars and bottles of jams and fruit juices, mostly without labelling, dating back to production in 2010, 2012 and 2018;
• processing and storage environments in precarious hygienic conditions, characterised by the presence of dirt, dust, cobwebs, guano and mixed materials.

Outside the structure, the military also confirmed the preparing tomato puree in a rusty copper pot, powered by discarded pallet wood, in lack of minimum food safety requirements.

At the end of the check, the NAS Carabinieri subjected the Administrative seizure of 674 kg of jams and fruit juices, with an estimated value of over 15.000 euros.

The outcome of the inspection was communicated to the competent AUSL which ordered theImmediate suspension of the production, storage, and trade of canned food, estimated at approximately €150.000.

For the violations found, fines were imposed administrative fines for a total amount of 4.500 euros.

NAS Naples: Seizure of toxic and carcinogenic cosmetic products

I Carabinieri of the NAS of Naples, in the course of targeted services aimed at guaranteeing consumer safety in the production and sale of cosmetic products, have proceeded to control of a retail business located in the Vesuvian area at the end of which the owner of the commercial establishment has been reported to the Judicial Authority competent, as held responsible for the distribution on the market of products containing banned substances and therefore dangerous to public health.

In particular, during the inspection the NAS soldiers found the presence, intended for sale, of several packages of semi-permanent gel containing the substance called “trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (tpo)” banned by the European Union as it is carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (toxic to reproduction).

This lack constitutes a danger to public health, both for consumers and for industry operators.

Following the irregularity found, the military proceeded to seizure of approximately 800 packages of the aforementioned items, with an estimated commercial value of approximately 6.000 Euro.