AGI – The Carabinieri of the NAS of Bologna have brought to light a series of irregularities in some coffee production companies located in Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini. The latter mainly concern the presence of harmful mycotoxins and the repackaging and sale of expired products.
The 22 inspections carried out led to the discovery of 11 critical issues, mainly in the provinces of Bologna and Forlì-Cesena, which range from a case of contamination by Ochratoxin A in coffee of Ethiopian origin at a plant in Bologna, to having stored expired coffee from several years in a roasting company, also in the province of Bologna.
The NAS operation also led to the discovery of a series of violations of sanitation and structural standards in various locations, including a huge warehouse in the Imola area which stored several tons of coffee and other food products in conditions deemed unhealthy. Furthermore, another company in the province of Forlì was accused of failure to cut raw materials and the finished product, as well as a serious infestation of lizards and rodents.
Overall, these investigations led to the suspension of activities worth approximately 11 million euros, the seizure of over 35,000 kg of coffee (approximate value of 820,000 euros) and administrative sanctions for a total of 28,000 euros.
