By Ibrahim Mohamed
The Information Centre of the National Food Safety Authority published its 6th report in 2025 during the period from February 8 to 14.
The Department of Control of Packing Stations and Centres made 58 visits and issued 3245 agricultural export permits.
The General Administration of Factories Control carried out 32 supervisory inspections of food factories nationwide in co-operation with the Industrial Development Authority.
As part of the National Food Safety Authority’s assumption of responsibility for issuing export certificates by the beginning of 2025 and the implementation of the new mechanism, 1,000 health certificates were issued by NFSA.
Potatoes topped the list of exports at 26,000 tons, followed by beans at 12,000 tons and frozen vegetables at 11,000.
The number of exported vegetables reached 67 at an amount of 75,000 tons.
Citrus fruits were in the lead with 65,000 tons, strawberries were at 10,000 tons, and other fruits were at 5,000 tons.
Sudan, the Netherlands, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia were the biggest customers for Egyptian products out of 200 importers.
With regard to the Imported Food Control Section of the General Department of Food Imports, the number of food messages released under reservation—temporary release—amounted to 851.
The Strategic Commodities Department carried out 19 inspection visits to wheat storage sites all over Egypt.
The General Administration for Registration and Licensing of Private Food registered 67 products and 19 companies, examined 340 new products, and issued 4 free sell certificates.
Complaints Management carried out 279 inspection missions to ensure the safety of food in a number of governorates.
Control of Commercial Chains, to ensure the requirements of food safety, registered 739 food establishments, and 473 establishments met the requirements during last week.
The Warehouse Control Department implemented 27 monitoring missions in a number of governorates.
By the beginning of 2025 and the implementation of the new mechanism, which requires all food establishments to register with NFSA. The total number of establishments registered was 165, bringing the total number of establishments to 934, and 3,071 requests for transportation and storage of incoming food messages have been issued since the beginning of January 2025.
Management of Licenses and Control of Tourist Facilities conducted 59 visits, including periodic surveillance and inspection of licenses in the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Red Sea, Port Said, and Aswan.
Mobile food units carried out 10 inspections on food units in various governorates.
The General Department of Slaughterhouses conducted 15 inspection visits to poultry and meat slaughterhouses, as well as 50 visits to intestinal factories, in addition to issuing 15 permissions for exports to the EU.
After a three-year hiatus, the first shipment of fish was exported and reached Italy, meeting all requirements and accompanied by the National Food Safety Authority’s validity certificate.
The National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), as part of its role, has launched extensive inspection campaigns to ensure food safety. This came in line with directives from NFSA chairman Dr Tareq el-Houby to tighten the control on food establishments in a number of governorates.