The control services of the Attica Region carried out intensively during the festive season 1,500 market checks in businesses and public markets. Where required, confiscations were made and fines were imposed.

It is noteworthy that in the municipality’s Christmas Village in the Northern Sector of Athens, 122 kg of cheese products were confiscated, as they did not have certifications, while a motorized entertainment facility for children was found to be unsuitable for use (it did not have a traffic permit).

The regional governor of Attica, Nikos Hardaliasemphasized in this regard: “In the Attica Region we do not play with public health. Our echelons are constantly alert, carrying out checks with rigor and consistency. The results of the festive season prove that the market must operate with rules of transparency and safety. The checks will continue with the same pace and determination in the coming days, as our goal is to protect consumers and ensure legality.”

Regarding the audits that covered a wide range of activities, the following emerged:

Between December 24 and 30, the General Directorate of Agricultural Economy, Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries of the Attica Region carried out 506 checks in retail stores, street markets, plants and food businesses of plant and animal origin. 26.43 tonnes of adulterated meat and preparations were seized, while the prescribed fine procedure was followed and 104 compliance recommendations were made.

In particular, the following were carried out:

– 34 checks on food establishments of animal origin. There were 4 seizures of 25,914.5 kg of spoiled meat and preparations and there were 13 recommendations.

– 181 controls on food of animal origin. There were 2 seizures of 523 kg of spoiled meat and preparations and there were 74 recommendations.

– 179 checks on food of plant origin, where 17 recommendations were made.

– 98 export controls.

– 8 controls on the movement of animals for slaughter.

– 6 inspections in slaughterhouses.

The Departments of Health Control and Environmental Health of the Region carried out 569 checks from December 11 to 30. 12 violations were found and 317 compliance recommendations were made.

In particular, the following were carried out:

– 257 checks on service enterprises (mass focus of full and partial processing). 9 violations were found and 150 compliance recommendations were made.

– 157 checks on retail businesses (supermarkets, grocery stores, wineries, etc.), where 87 recommendations were made.

– 61 checks on manufacturers who sell, mainly retail, (bakeries, butchers, bake offs, etc.). Violations were found and the prescribed fine procedure followed, while a total of 41 recommendations were made.

– 46 inspections of companies providing services of health interest (hairdressers, barbers, extremity care, etc.), where a total of 22 recommendations were made.

– 27 checks on distributors and transporters, where 2 recommendations were made.

– 21 checks on manufacturers and packers. Violations were found and 15 recommendations were made.

From the ranks of the General Directorate of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, checks were carried out and where violations were found, the prescribed fine procedure was followed.

The following were done in detail:

– 11 checks in supermarkets and hypermarkets, where 3 violations were found

– 117 checks on street markets.

– 83 checks in grocery stores (neighborhood), fruit stores, butchers, fishmongers, spice businesses, mini markets, kiosks, convenience stores, etc.

– 50 checks in bakeries, pastry shops, etc.

– 63 controls in the catering sector (fast food, restaurants, taverns, pizzerias, steakhouses, etc.).

– 38 inspections in clothing, footwear, sports equipment, sports goods, etc. businesses.

– 10 inspections in other businesses (crafts – food industries, etc.), where violations were found and the prescribed procedure for imposing fines followed.

– 5 checks in pharmacies.

– 2 checks at gas stations.

– 4 periodic checks of pumps at gas stations.

– 13 audits of service providers.

Regarding the violations found in the municipality’s Christmas Village in B. Sectors on December 30, from a mixed level of the Regional Unit of BT Athens, related to the following:

– The children’s motorized amusement facility did not have a license and state plates.

– Also, category 01 vehicles that sold products (popcorn, candy, etc) were classified as towed transport vehicles and not as mobile retail stores, while one of them was of an unknown owner.

– A quantity of 122.7 kg of yellow cheeses with no signs of suitability was found on a business counter.

– At the same time, 10 itinerant businessmen who sold, mainly, food (marketing and preparation for immediate sale) and alcoholic beverages were checked. In 2 of the audited, a market violation was registered for lack of price on products they had and in two others dozens of pieces of alcoholic beverages, which did not have any markings, were confiscated.