Sweeping inspections were conducted by the competent services of the Attica Region in the holiday market, as by order of Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias, the relevant procedures were intensified, aiming to protect consumer health and combat profiteering. It is noted that from December 1st until today, the competent teams of the Region have carried out a total of 4,585 market and health inspections, having identified 628 violations, with the imposed fines amounting to €324,400 so far.
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Nikos Hardalias: In Attica Region we leave no room for dangerous games
As Mr. Hardalias stated: “In the Attica Region we leave no room for dangerous games, neither with health nor with our fellow citizens’ wallets. And during these holidays, our inspection teams are constantly out in the field, in every market, in every neighborhood, closely monitoring product distribution and compliance with all legal provisions. No one will profit at the expense of families struggling daily. No one will risk the safety of our fellow citizens. The order is non-negotiable: whoever attempts illegal activities will face the law – immediately, strictly, without exceptions. Because the holidays should be a period of joy, not worry. And we will continue to be on the front line, so that every consumer feels absolute confidence in their choices. We move forward dynamically, aiming for a market that respects and protects citizens.”
Inspection results
The inspections conducted cover all businesses falling under the jurisdiction of the Region’s mechanisms, such as meat distribution companies, fruit and vegetable distributors and other food categories, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, dairy product stores, poultry farms, toy stores, fuel stations, entertainment businesses, etc.
In this context, from the General Directorate of Agricultural Economy, Veterinary Services and Fisheries during December 1-29, a total of 2,274 inspections were carried out in retail stores, farmers’ markets, facilities and businesses dealing with plant and animal origin foods. Specifically, 775 inspections were conducted on animal origin foods, 693 on plant origin foods, 614 export inspections, 154 on animal origin food facilities and 38 on slaughterhouses.
A total of 12 tons of spoiled meats and preparations, as well as plant origin foods, were confiscated, while the prescribed fine imposition procedure was followed. Additionally, 292 compliance recommendations were made.
During the same period, inspectors from the General Directorate of Sustainable Development and Climate Change conducted 1,459 inspections, where they identified 116 violations, validating fines totaling €324,400 so far. It is worth noting that most of these – totaling €200,000 – were imposed during the inspection of 56 fuel and energy stations, where 10 violations were identified.
There were also 259 inspections in farmers’ markets and an equal number in clothing-footwear stores, 254 in neighborhood grocery stores, 168 in restaurants, 130 in bakeries and pastry shops, 98 in supermarkets, 81 in household equipment stores, 68 in service provision stores (barbershops, hair salons, laundries, workshops, gyms, parking lots, etc.), 48 in pharmacies-cosmetics stores, etc.
Finally, the competent teams from the Directorates of Health Inspection and Environmental Health conducted a total of 852 inspections. 25 violations were identified and the prescribed fine imposition procedure was followed, while 512 compliance recommendations were made.
