National Food Safety Authority Seizes Over 29 Tonnes of Unfit Food and 4,000 Litres of Contaminated Water
The National Food Safety Authority (INSSPA) reported in a statement published on Monday, October 20, 2025, that more than 29 tonnes of food products and approximately 4,000 litres of contaminated or improperly stored water were recently seized in several governorates. This was part of joint inspection campaigns between INSSPA services, security forces, and municipal teams.
Nabeul Governorate
In the Nabeul governorate, 13.2 tonnes of unfit food products were seized. The central mobile team from the INSSPA's Central Directorate discovered a significant quantity of red squash (pumpkin) stored in very poor conditions. The squash was rotten, fermented, and emitted bad odors, with a change in color and signs of decomposition, as well as the presence of bird and rodent droppings. These products were seized and destroyed due to their unsuitability for human consumption, and a judicial report was established for this purpose.
Ben Arous Governorate
In the Ben Arous governorate, 343.5 kg of food products and 3,117 litres of water were seized. INSSPA's inspection teams, in coordination with the General Directorate of the National Guard and the Municipal Guard, conducted a control campaign targeting slaughterhouses and rotisseries. This campaign resulted in the seizure of 128.3 kg of red meat, merguez, kefta, and salami for non-compliance with good hygiene practices, as well as 3,117 litres of bottled mineral water exposed on sidewalks and under high temperatures. Five infraction reports were drawn up, and three written warnings were addressed to the offenders.
In a related context, the inspection teams, accompanied by the Fouchana National Guard brigade, inspected several premises, leading to the seizure of:
- 42 litres of lemon juice of unknown origin and without labeling
- 5 kg of grated cheese of unknown origin
- 90 kg of lamb meat
- 60 kg of white meat
- 16 kg of fish
- 47 kg of leafy vegetables and legumes that did not meet food safety conditions
Tunis Governorate
In the Tunis governorate, 11.8 tonnes of food products and 1,000 litres of water were seized. The central inspection team from the Authority and agents from the Tunis Regional Directorate conducted several field campaigns covering markets and warehouses. The seized products included:
- 10 tonnes of marinated olives showing signs of deterioration (worms and mold)
- 456 boxes of spoiled harissa
- 120 kg of coriander seeds due to the presence of weevils
- 420 kg of cress seeds that had exceeded their consumption deadline (May 2025)
- 1,512 kg of fish (red mullet and hake) whose decomposition was confirmed
- 99.5 kg of other food products
In a separate operation, 1,000 litres of well water intended for sale to the public without authorization or analysis proving its potability were seized.
Béja Governorate
In the Béja governorate, 700 kg of unfit food products were seized. The Regional Directorate of the Authority, as part of the preparations for the Testour Pomegranate Festival, conducted an inspection campaign of traditional cheese manufacturing and sales stores. It was found that fresh cheeses were stored in unsanitary conditions, with live insects present, and packaged in plastic containers not intended for food products. These products, including 600 kg of cheese and 100 kg of smen (clarified butter), were seized and destroyed, and judicial reports were established.
Bizerte Governorate
In the Bizerte governorate, 210 kg of unfit food products were seized. An inspection campaign on weekly markets resulted in the seizure and destruction of 210 kg of rotten peaches that had lost their natural properties and had changed in color and odor, making them unsuitable for consumption.
Zaghouan Governorate
The inspection teams from the Authority, in coordination with the Central Brigade of the Municipal Guard in Zaghouan, conducted a targeted campaign on rotisseries along the national road. They seized 20 kg of spoiled foie gras and merguez, in addition to cooked lamb heads inside a coal and scrap metal warehouse, lacking the most basic safety and hygiene conditions. Written warnings were also addressed, and some premises selling unstamped red meat from clandestine slaughter were closed.
Sidi Bouzid Governorate
In the Sidi Bouzid governorate, the inspection teams, in coordination with the Municipal Police, seized and destroyed 260 kg of fish transported in a vehicle not adapted for this purpose and without documents proving their safety and origin.
The National Food Safety Authority emphasized that inspection operations will continue regularly and intensively, stressing that protecting consumer health remains an absolute priority. Any person found guilty of marketing spoiled products will be prosecuted.
