Food safety in the Vibonese area: 6 restaurateurs sanctioned

The Serra San Bruno Carabinieri Station recently concluded a campaign of checks aimed at guaranteeing the safety of the food supply chain and compliance with regulations in the catering sector. The activities, implemented in collaboration with the Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service (SIAM) of the ASP of Vibo Valentia and the Anti-adulteration and Health Unit (NAS) of the Carabinieri of Catanzaro, began in October and continued until the long weekend of November 1st . The main objective was to protect the health of those who participated in the numerous gastronomic events in the Vibo greenhouses.

The results of the checks speak clearly: six restaurateurs were administratively sanctioned, five for failure to comply with the rules on food traceability and one for violations of the HACCP provisions, for a total of 9,500 euros in fines and approximately 300 kg of non-traceable foods which were been seized or disposed of. These measures fall within the prerogatives of the highly specialized departments of the Army, to which the law gives the task of supervising hygiene and food safety.

The action of the Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Camillo Falvo, has given further incisiveness to this campaign with the aim of combating any illicit practice that could undermine the quality and safety of food intended for public consumption. The initiative represents a clear signal aimed at food sector operators to adapt to legal standards and actively participate in the protection of collective health.

The Serra San Bruno Carabinieri, in close collaboration with the health authorities and under the supervision of the Vibo Valentia Prosecutor’s Office, will continue to monitor carefully, planning regular checks and targeted interventions at critical points in the food supply chain. In an area like that of the Vibo greenhouses, where culinary traditions represent a pillar of the identity and attractiveness of the territory, this control campaign demonstrates once again the institutions’ commitment to protecting public health and ensuring the quality of the food and wine offer, protecting the local food heritage.

Notes on the Carabinieri Health Command.
Among its institutional tasks, the Corps has always had to monitor public health by supervising the authenticity of food substances.
Following law no. 283 of 30 April 1962, relating to the hygienic regulation of the production and trade of food and drink substances, the General Command of the Army, in agreement with the Ministries of Health and Defence, ordered the creation, in the main cities, of the first six NAS Carabinieri, an acronym which was then identified with the “Anti-adulteration Units” and which today, due to the expansion of the fields of intervention, means “Anti-adulteration Units and Healthcare”.
Initially established only in large cities, the NAS progressively expanded their structures, until reaching the recent one, based on a central body – the Carabinieri Health Command – at the Ministry of Health, three AS Group Commands – in Milan , Rome and Naples – and 34 NAS located in the main cities.
Since 1 July 1996, the Carabinieri Anti-adulteration and Healthcare Command and the Carabinieri Anti-drug Command have been unified, taking the name of “Carabinieri Healthcare Command”.
For the countless merits acquired in the sectors of their competence, the Carabinieri of the NAS have earned 3 Gold Medals of Public Health Merit for the Flag of the Force.