Books – Ahmed Gomaa:
The media center of the National Food Safety Authority issued its 47th weekly report, for the period from December 23 to 29, which included many different activities, most notably the General Administration for Factory Control’s implementation of 78 oversight missions on food factories in all governorates of the Republic during the fourth week of December.

According to a statement, 7 food establishments were registered with the National Food Safety Authority, while 7 factories were listed on the white list.

The number of examination, inspection and approval visits carried out by the Department of Control of Packing Stations and Centers reached 48 visits. 1 packing center was registered with the Authority and 3 facilities are being listed on the white list. The Department issued 2,185 export permits for agricultural crops.

The Authority also visited the Authority’s branches in the governorates to follow up on the Egyptian citrus export season and implement the mechanism for withdrawing samples from orange consignments intended for export to European Union countries.

The number of food consignments exported, according to the Authority’s General Administration of Exports and Imports, reached 5,335 consignments, amounting to approximately 200,000 tons, to 1,775 exporting companies, ranging from 580 types of fresh vegetables and fruits, flour, and various food products.

Last week, beans topped the list of exported Egyptian vegetables with a total of 10,000 tons, followed by tomatoes with a total of 8,000 tons, then sweet potatoes with a total of 6,000 tons. Citrus fruits topped the list of exported fruits last week with a total of 60,000 tons, followed by strawberries with a total of 8,000 tons, then pomegranates with a total. 4 thousand tons.

Saudi Arabia, Libya, Spain, and Russia represented the largest countries receiving Egyptian exports during the past week, out of a total of 150 importing countries.
Last week, Cairo Airport Port also ranked first in the number of food consignments exported from it, with a total of 1,350 consignments, followed by Safaga Port with 1,075 consignments, and then Alexandria Port with a total of 610 consignments.

The number of food consignments received reached 1,630 consignments, amounting to 388,350 tons, to 780 importing companies, ranging from 150 varieties of wheat, various oils, and soybeans from 94 countries. Russia represented the largest country exporting to Egypt, followed by Romania, Brazil, Lithuania, and Canada.

Last week, Alexandria Port also ranked first in the number of food consignments received with a total of 476 consignments, followed by Damietta Port, which ranked second with 323 consignments, then Cairo Airport Port with a total of 311 consignments.

The General Administration for Special Food Registration and Licensing registered 52 products and 17 companies, and carried out 5 monitoring visits. The administration also examined 743 new products and issued 2 free sale certificates.

Also, notification No. 2193/2021 pertaining to a product called (Castedal D3) by Pharma Cast, and notification No. 2602/2021 pertaining to a product under the name (Vitamins) by Biotrim Lab, were cancelled, due to their violation of registration conditions.

With regard to laboratory management, the administration prepared technical reports for 1,330 samples of imported food shipments, 630 samples of foods prepared for export, 340 samples of local foods, in addition to 134 samples of special food products.

The Strategic Commodities Administration carried out 22 announced inspection visits to rice mills in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh, Sharkia, Dakahlia, Beheira, Qalyubia and Fayoum, and 2 rice mills were recorded in Sharkia Governorate, in addition to 1 announced visit to wheat silos in Alexandria Governorate.

The total number of complaints received to the Authority reached 37 complaints from the various complaints receiving agencies (the electronic portal for the unified government complaints system – the Council of Ministers), the Consumer Protection Agency, in addition to complaints submitted directly to the Authority, and all complaints were closed.

The Complaints Management Team launched campaigns on 490 food establishments in various governorates of the Republic to ensure the safety of the food products offered.

Regarding the activities of the Commercial Chains Control Department, 29 oversight missions were carried out for branches of commercial chain establishments to ensure that these establishments meet food safety requirements in a number of governorates of the Republic. The number of establishments registered with the Department reached 4 branches, bringing the number of registered chains to date to 1,615 branches. For 47 commercial chains.

In coordination with the Departments of Control of Tourist Establishments and Public Stores, 6 joint campaigns were launched against 65 food establishments. These campaigns resulted in the issuance of 2 reports of lack of licenses against two establishments.

514 public store establishments with food activity were registered, and the Public Store Registration and Licensing Department conducted 404 inspections of public stores, while 289 establishments met the requirements of the National Food Safety Authority during the past week.

The Storage Facilities Control Department carried out 18 oversight missions for private sector stores and 3 missions for new sites and school feeding stores in the governorates of the Red Sea, Beni Suef, Giza, Alexandria, Ismailia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Beheira, Qalyubia, Cairo, Sharkia, Sohag, and Menoufia. 8 warehouses at the National Food Safety Authority, and 1 new school nutrition warehouse site (under construction) in Menoufia Governorate was inspected.

Regarding the management of dairy suppliers, 10 oversight missions were carried out over dairy farms and milk collection centers in the governorates of Beheira, Qalyubia, Sharkia, Fayoum, Alexandria and Dakahlia.

One parlor fulfilled the requirements of the National Food Safety Authority, bringing the total number of fulfilled parlors to 59 parlors.
With regard to the management of oversight and licensing of tourist establishments, 108 visits were made, including periodic oversight and license inspections, in the governorates of Aswan, Alexandria, the Red Sea, Giza, Cairo, Luxor, South Sinai and Dakahlia, and 1 restaurant was registered with the National Food Safety Authority.

The Mobile Food Units Department carried out 20 inspection missions on food units in the governorates of Cairo, Gharbia, Assiut, Qalyubia, Giza and Luxor, and 3 food units were registered with the National Food Safety Authority, while 5 units met the requirements.

The Authority’s Grievances Committee examined 366 grievance requests received from various ports, in addition to 4 grievances related to special foods.
The General Administration for the Control of Fish and Aquatic Products carried out 11 monitoring visits to fishing boats/vessels, fish factories and suppliers, export companies and processing units in various governorates of the Republic, and 2 factories were registered with the Authority.

The General Administration of Slaughterhouses conducted 7 inspection visits to poultry and meat slaughterhouses and 2 visits to intestinal factories. One poultry slaughterhouse met the Authority’s requirements and is being listed on the white list. The Administration issued 18 export permits for natural animal packaging to European Union countries after collecting samples and ensuring their compliance with the requirements.

The Authority’s inspection campaigns on markets in various governorates:
As part of the efforts of the Authority’s branches to tighten and tighten control over food establishments, in implementation of the directives of Dr. Tariq Al-Hobi, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority, to ensure the safety of the food products offered and to preserve the health of consumers in various governorates.

The Food Safety Branch in Gharbia Governorate launched 50 extensive inspection campaigns on 450 food establishments to ensure the implementation of food safety requirements in the various cities and centers of the governorate (Tanta, Zefta, Qutour, Basyoun, Al-Santa, Kafr Al-Zayat, Al-Mahalla, Samanoud), and these campaigns resulted in the arrest of 2 One ton and 250 kg of expired vinegar, 450 kg of tahini of suspected expiration, 180 kg of honey and 150 kg of spices unfit for human consumption.
Based on the prosecution’s decision, 20 tons of salt unfit for human consumption were destroyed, 17 prosecution decisions were implemented, and a number of expired food products (vegetables, dairy products, juices) and various foodstuffs were destroyed.

We participated in large-scale campaigns with the governorate, the Supply Directorate, the Supply Investigations, the Veterinary Medicine Directorate, and the Health Directorate. These campaigns resulted in the issuance of 183 reports as part of the daily campaigns to control the markets. Samples of food suspected of being fit for use were withdrawn, and all seized items were seized to take legal action. Food inspection in rehabilitation and reform centres.

The Food Safety Branch in Menoufia Governorate conducted 13 inspection campaigns, during which 113 food establishments were visited within the governorate (Shebin El-Kom, Berket El-Sabaa, Tala, Menouf, El-Bajour, Al-Shuhadaa, Quesna, Sadat, Ashmoun), and 75 types of expired food were seized. (cakes, chocolate, juices, spice mixes) and other food products. All products were destroyed in the presence of a committee of inspectors from the National Food Safety Authority.

The Food Safety Branch in Damietta Governorate launched 6 joint inspection campaigns with (the Directorate of Supply, Veterinary Medicine, Health, the Consumer Protection Agency, and the Environment Department at the General Office) on 30 food facilities in the governorate’s centers (Al-Saru, Mit Abu Ghaleb, Al-Rawda, Damietta, Kafr Saad, and Faraskur). These campaigns resulted in the destruction of 324 kg of expired foodstuffs that had changed their natural properties (frozen meat, cooked rice, pickles, poultry, dairy products, edible oils, and juices). The execution process took place in the presence of representatives of the Food Safety Authority and members of the formed committee. Taking samples of food suspected of being expired.

The Food Safety Branch in Fayoum Governorate carried out joint inspection campaigns with other regulatory authorities (the Consumer Protection Agency, the Supply Directorate, and the Veterinary Medicine Directorate), where 12 food facilities were visited. These campaigns resulted in the seizure and destruction of quantities of a cotton candy product of unknown origin that contained colors. These campaigns also resulted in the issuance of 9 reports of the absence of health certificates, and they were presented to the investigating authorities.

The Food Safety Branch in the Sharkia Governorate carried out 19 inspection campaigns, passing through 65 food facilities within the centers of (Zagazig, Deir Najm, Abu Kabir, Belbeis, and Hahia), which resulted in the destruction of 274 kilograms of expired food products that were unfit for human consumption (Mushabak, Nescafe, cinnamon, veggie, chips, cheese, vinegar).

A private food factory that was not registered with the Authority was also visited and directed to the necessity of registration. In fact, registration with the Authority was made through the Authority’s branch in Sharkia Governorate. 26 food facilities that had previously been given a period to implement food safety requirements were re-visited, and the response of those facilities was verified.

The Food Safety Branch in Aswan Governorate launched 10 campaigns against 135 food and tourism establishments, which resulted in the seizure and issuance of 12 execution reports for a number of expired food products of unknown origin (pizza dough, sauce, pate, dairy, dates, coffee), and 6 pledges were taken to correct procedures. For food establishments.

The Food Safety Branch in Assiut Governorate launched 28 campaigns against 28 food establishments, which resulted in the seizure of various expired food products. All of these products were destroyed in the presence of a committee of Food Safety Authority inspectors.

The branch of the Food Safety Authority in Sohag Governorate launched 24 campaigns against 118 food establishments within the centers of (Tahta, Sohag, and Maragha). These campaigns resulted in the seizure and destruction of a number of expired food products (canned goods, juices, sauces, cocoa, and crackers). Taking undertakings on food establishments that are not registered with the Authority to register, complete licensing procedures, and implement food safety requirements.

The branch also launched a massive campaign with the Consumer Protection Agency and the Supply Investigation Department, and expired food products (crackers, spices) were seized, a misdemeanor report was issued, and a quantity of expired cheeses were destroyed.

The Food Safety Branch in Dakahlia Governorate carried out 22 joint inspection campaigns with other regulatory authorities (Directorate of Health, Veterinary Medicine, Supply, Supply Investigations, City Council Inspection Department), where 120 food facilities were visited in centers and some villages within the governorate (Mit Ghamr, Bani Ubaid). , Dikernes, Talkha, Mansoura Center).

These campaigns resulted in the destruction of 348 kilograms of spoiled food products and others that appeared to have changed properties (baked goods, meat products, dairy products, juices) and other various food items.

These campaigns also resulted in 92 violations for not implementing health requirements, 94 violations for not having health certificates, 88 violations for not having an establishment license, and 10 reports were written that varied between execution reports, failure to announce prices and failure to implement health requirements, and 120 kg were seized. Municipal meat, and 2 tons of oils.

The Food Safety Authority branch in New Valley Governorate 2 launched a joint campaign with the Consumer Protection Agency against 14 food establishments. These campaigns resulted in the seizure of a quantity of various expired food items, and those products were destroyed and legal measures were taken.
The Food Safety Branch in South Sinai 2 launched an inspection campaign, passing through 6 food establishments, which resulted in the destruction of expired foodstuffs that were unfit for human consumption. Pledges were taken from establishments not registered with the Authority to register and implement requirements for food safety.