The Information Centre of the National Food Safety Authority in Egypt released its 6th report in 2025, covering activities from February 8 to 14. The Department of Control of Packing Stations and Centres conducted 58 visits, issuing 3,245 agricultural export permits. Concurrently, the General Administration of Factories Control, in collaboration with the Industrial Development Authority, performed 32 supervisory inspections across food factories nationwide.
By early 2025, the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) assumed responsibility for export certificates, resulting in the issuance of 1,000 health certificates. Export data indicated potatoes as the leading export at 26,000 tons, followed by beans at 12,000 tons, and frozen vegetables at 11,000 tons. Total exported vegetables numbered 67, with an aggregate of 75,000 tons. Citrus fruits topped fruit exports at 65,000 tons, strawberries at 10,000 tons, and other fruits at 5,000 tons. Key importers included Sudan, the Netherlands, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia among 200 importers.
Dr Tarek El Houby
The Imported Food Control Section of the General Department of Food Imports reported 851 food messages released under reservation. The Strategic Commodities Department executed 19 inspections of wheat storage sites nationwide. The General Administration for Registration and Licensing of Private Food registered 67 products, and 19 companies, examined 340 new products and issued 4 free sell certificates.
Complaints Management undertook 279 inspections to ensure food safety across various governorates. The Control of Commercial Chains registered 739 food establishments, with 473 meeting safety requirements. The Warehouse Control Department carried out 27 monitoring missions in several governorates. By 2025, the new mechanism necessitated all food establishments to register with NFSA, bringing the total to 934, with 3,071 requests for transportation and storage of incoming food messages since January 2025.
The Management of Licenses and Control of Tourist Facilities conducted 59 visits for license surveillance and inspection in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Red Sea, Port Said, and Aswan. Mobile food units performed 10 inspections on food units in various governorates. The General Department of Slaughterhouses conducted 15 inspections at poultry and meat slaughterhouses and 50 visits to intestinal factories, issuing 15 EU export permissions. After a hiatus, the first fish shipment was exported to Italy, validated by NFSA's certificate.
NFSA launched extensive inspection campaigns to ensure food safety, aligning with directives from NFSA chairman Dr. Tareq el-Houby to enhance control over food establishments in various governorates.
Source: The Egyptian Gazette