GDF Roan Ancona, food checks: a restaurant also closed in San Benedetto, 20 kilos of fish seized

ANCONA – Implementation of an Operational Control Plan in the agri-food sector and more particularly in the fish supply chaincarried out jointly by the Financial Police and the Coast Guard, specific inspection activities were conducted in the week from 5 to 12 May, during which the staff of the two Administrations placed a magnifying glass on commercial activities, operating both in the catering sector and the food preservation sector.

The interventions, coordinated by the Maritime Directorate of the Coast Guard of Ancona and the Aeronaval Operations Department of the Guardia di Finanza of Ancona, were aimed at identifying hypothesis of false indication of the origin of the productfocusing attention on the traceability of the fish product and had the health of the final consumer as their primary interest.

In this context, the objectives to be monitored were identified, which in certain cases, given the complexity and specificity of the matter, required the help of the staff of the AST (territorial health company), responsible for verifying the health and hygiene aspects connected to the practice of serving and preserving food.

During the reference week, within the Maritime Compartments of Pesaro, Ancona and San Benedetto, no. 1 processing plant for fresh and frozen fish products and nr. 2 catering establishments.

The activity carried out in the province of Ancona led to the reporting to the Judicial Authority of a restaurant operator, for serious non-compliances relating to the poor conservation of foodstuffs held for supply to customers. The products, corresponding to over kg. 160 of various foodstuffs were subjected to criminal seizure; in the same context, a total of kg. 1,361 of various types of food and liters. 215 of various oil due to lack of information on traceability and labelling, as well as lt. 18 of extra virgin olive oil, due to the absence of mandatory information relating to the production batch, the olive oil campaign and the presumed expiry date.

Other critical issues have been identified in the San Benedetto del Tronto area, where the operators have administratively reported the precautionary suspension of a catering establishment, due to serious non-compliances related to health and hygiene aspects, which can be reopened only following the implementation of the provisions imparted by AST staff, with the simultaneous administrative seizure of over kg. 20 of fish due to the absence of information related to traceability.

Overall, they were engaged throughout the Marche Region, nr. 18 soldiers from both Administrations, who together with AST staff, imposed sanctions amounting to over €10,000, subjecting to seizure, over kg. 1500 of various foods, which will be disposed of by a suitable company. The close operational synergy of the operating staff, in addition to verifying compliance with the rules related to the preservation and authenticity of our food heritage, has made it possible to withdraw various products from the market (meat, fish, products deriving from flour processing and sweets), potentially dangerous for the health of end consumers, given the impossibility of identifying their origin.