Food‑Safety Crackdown During the First Six Days of Ramadan
During the first six days of Ramadan, the regional directorate of the National Institute for Food‑Product Safety (INSSPA) in Manouba ordered the closure of five establishments – four butcher shops and one bakery.
Maha Khaladi, regional director of INSSPA, told the TAP news agency that the closures were the result of non‑compliance with hygiene best practices and violations of the Food‑Product Safety Law.
- 500 kg of unfit meat were seized and destroyed.
- Several official reports have been filed and forwarded to the cantonal court for offences under Article 19 of Law No. 25‑2019 of 26 February 2019 on food‑product safety.
These actions follow 80 field inspections carried out by a specialised team that targeted public‑facing premises such as bakeries and butcher shops. Inspectors verified the implementation of hygiene procedures and strict sanitary conditions, working in tandem with the Economic Control Services of the Regional Directorate of Commerce for joint inspections.
More than 40 written warnings have been issued to offenders, granting them a deadline to regularise their situation before a follow‑up verification visit.
Ongoing Controls Throughout Ramadan
The regional director stressed that control operations will continue throughout the month of Ramadan, with particular focus on sensitive products such as:
- Poultry
- Red meat
- Cheese
- Dairy products
- Fish
She added that inspections will intensify during the second half of the month, specifically targeting:
- Production and sales sites for pastries
- Processing units
- Storage facilities
The aim is to ensure consumer safety and uphold the highest standards of food‑product hygiene during the holy month.
