Palermo food safety raid seizes 500 kg of unsafe products, imposes fines

Carabinieri of the Nucleo Antisofisticazioni e Sanità (NAS) carried out a series of inspections in Palermo, targeting distribution depots, supermarkets, food‑service establishments and a meat‑processing plant that supplies the province. The inspections uncovered numerous violations, including serious hygienic and structural deficiencies, illegal occupation of spaces, lack of required HACCP self‑control procedures, missing traceability and improper storage temperatures. In several gelaterias, food was found in rusted containers and at non‑compliant temperatures.

The NAS, assisted by veterinarians from the Provincial Health Authority of Palermo, seized roughly five quintals (about 400‑500 kg) of expired or otherwise unfit food, ordered its destruction and imposed administrative sanctions totaling €23,000. The activity of the inspected meat‑processing company was also suspended pending corrective actions.