VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Food safety officials have seized and will destroy a large consignment of food products brought into Malta illegally from Albania via Sicily, the Food Safety and Security Authority (FSSA) said.
The consignment was intercepted after the Tax and Customs Administration alerted the FSSA on Friday evening about a van arriving on the ferry from Sicily.
An inspection found meat, yoghurt, cheese, snacks, olive oil, soft drinks, beans, eggs, alcohol, salt and juices that failed to comply with food safety regulations.
According to the FSSA, the products had been transported at inappropriate temperatures, lacked the required labelling and were not accompanied by essential traceability documents.
The authority also said it had not received the mandatory prior notification of the consignment’s arrival, as required under Maltese legislation.
The products were immediately sealed and will be destroyed to safeguard public health, ensure food safety and protect the integrity of the local industry.
The FSSA reminded traders that they must register with the authority and notify it at least 48 hours before importing animals, food, feed or plants into Malta, including consignments originating from within the European Union.
The authority thanked the Tax and Customs Administration for its collaboration and warned that it would continue taking firm action against operators who fail to comply with notification requirements.
– Photo FSSA –
(ITALPRESS).
