Arcsa closes snack processing plant in Azogues due to sanitary violations

The National Agency for Regulation, Control and Sanitary Surveillance (Arcsa) has closed a snack and potato chip processing plant in Azogues, Cañar province, following a sanitary inspection on August 12, 2026.

Inspectors identified several critical hygiene violations, including the presence of rodent droppings in production and storage areas, as well as in locations where finished products and labels were kept. The facility also suffered from inadequate cleaning, with significant accumulations of oil and grease on the floors.

One notable finding involved the improper use of equipment: a large potato was being used as an improvised plug in a pigmentation machine to prevent water leakage due to a missing part. Additionally, the plant's wastewater management was deemed inadequate, with sediment separation pits at the rear of the building causing foul odors.

Eufrasia Fajardo, Arcsa's Zonal 6 Coordinator, stated that while the plant possesses functional production equipment, the facility must implement proper maintenance and cleaning practices to ensure food safety before it can resume operations.