491 agricultural export permits – report

By Ibrahim Mohamed

The Information Centre of the National Food Safety Authority published in its 42nd report that during the period from November 2 to 8, the Department of Control of Packing Stations and Centres made 44 visits and issued 491 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.

Sweet potatoes topped the list of exports at 10,000 tons, followed by beans at 6,000 tons and onions at 5,000.

The number of exported vegetables reached 51 at an amount of 33,000 tons.

Pomegranate was in the lead with 10,000 tons, mango was at 6,000 tons, and strawberry was at 4,000 tons.

Sudan, Libya, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were the biggest customers for Egyptian products out of 167 importers.

The Strategic Commodities Department carried out 13 inspection visits to wheat storage sites all over Egypt.

The General Administration for Registration and Licensing of Private Food registered 101 products, 21 companies, examined 680 new products, and issued 27 free sell certificates.

Complaints Management carried out 720 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 697 food establishments, and 358 establishments met the requirements during last week.

The Warehouse Control Department implemented 20 monitoring missions in a number of governorates.

12 stores were inspected over the past week in a number of governorates.

Management of Licenses and Control of Tourist Facilites conducted 79 visits, including periodic surveillance and inspection of licenses in the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Red Sea, Aswan, and Luxor.

Mobile Food Units carried out 18 inspections on food units in various governorates.

The General Department of Slaughterhouses conducted 18 inspection visits to poultry and meat slaughterhouses, as well as 63 visits to intestinal factories, in addition to issuing 25 permissions for exports to the EU.

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.