Tarapacá health authorities close clandestine sea urchin plant

The SEREMI de Salud de Tarapacá has ordered the closure of a clandestine sea urchin processing plant in Seremeño, Chile, following a multidisciplinary operation. The facility was found to be operating without sanitary authorization, lacking proper water and sewage systems, and failing to meet minimum hygiene standards.

During the inspection, authorities ordered the immediate seizure of 1,000 live sea urchins and 764 kilograms of sea urchin tongues intended for sale. However, despite explicit prohibitions, the responsible parties removed the 764 kilograms of seafood from the site without authorization. While the company claimed to have destroyed the product themselves, they failed to provide evidence or follow the legal destruction protocols required by the health authority.