Report: Citrus tops list of food exports

By Ibrahim Mohamed

The Information Centre of the National Food Safety Authority published in its 47th report that during the period from Dec. 7 to 13, the Department of Control of Packing Stations and Centres made 53 visits and issued 2027 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 12,000 tons, followed by tomatoes at 8,000 tons and beans at 6,000.
The number of exported vegetables reached 66 at an amount of 47,000 tons.
Citrus fruits were in the lead with 47,000 tons, dates were at 6,000 tons, and strawberries were at 5,000 tons.
Sudan, Libya, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were the biggest customers for Egyptian products out of 150 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 83 products, 18 companies, examined 619 new products, and issued 13 free sell certificates.
Complaints Management carried out 709 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 1462 food establishments, and 407 establishments met the requirements during last week.
The Warehouse Control Department implemented 20 monitoring missions in a number of governorates.
8 stores were inspected over the past week in a number of governorates.

Management of Licenses and Control of Tourist Facilities conducted 64 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 16 inspections on food units in various governorates.
The General Department of Slaughterhouses conducted 17 inspection visits to poultry and meat slaughterhouses, as well as 65 visits to intestinal factories, in addition to issuing 18 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.