According to the experience of food chain safety inspectors, the distribution of expired products was the leading irregularity in commercial and catering establishments this year, Nébih reports on its website.
The agency announced on Friday that the first phase of the summer food chain inspection, during which 2,338 inspections were carried out, was completed. In 284 of these cases, experts examined food production sites, 884 in food distribution, and 1,170 in catering establishments.
In the first period of July, food chain safety inspectors checked 8,439 Hungarian and foreign food items. The most typical of the defects in the inspected foods was the expired warranty. 5.2 percent of all inspected items, 9.11 tons of products, had to be withdrawn from circulation.
Due to the detected irregularities, the inspectors gave 36 warnings, and in 196 cases they had to be punished. The value of the imposed fines exceeded HUF 13 million.
In the course of the hospitality industry, it was typical that, primarily in buffets, flame ovens, and ice cream parlors, they failed to warn consumers about allergens. It was especially characteristic of the flame ovens that they handled the substitute use of animal and plant materials carelessly. While the menu indicated sour cream or cheese, in reality they used plant-based products.
The inspectors objected to the quality of the goods at fruit and vegetable traders, but often action had to be taken due to the lack of clarity of the product's place of origin.
There was no problem with the alcohol, the wine was not watered down anywhere, but the inspectors found unmarked wine and brandy batches, one each.
Nébih's inspectors found hygiene deficiencies in an outstanding number of catering establishments.
The summer national seasonal food chain control period lasts until August 20, the office indicated.
Source: Magyar Hírlap
