Famagusta Increases Enforcement for Food Safety

Famagusta Increases Enforcement for Food Safety

A coordinated operation between Gazimağusa Police and Gazimağusa Municipality Zabıta has resulted in the seizure of nearly 1.8 tonnes of illegal meat, marking one of the most significant food‑safety interventions in recent years.

Authorities inspected a local butcher shop following intelligence reports and uncovered 1,160 kg of lamb and beef carrying South Cyprus stamps, indicating the products had entered the country without customs clearance. The operation expanded to the owner’s farm, where officers found 70 unregistered small livestock, along with additional unlabelled and unverified meat products.

Among the seized items were:

• 30 kg of unlabelled whole lamb
• 200 kg of minced meat of unknown origin
• 392 kg of beef cuts lacking documentation
• Stolen municipal slaughterhouse stamps
• An illegal sleeping area constructed above the shop

In total, 1,782 kg of meat was confiscated. Police have launched a full investigation into smuggling, food‑safety violations, and theft of official seals.

Municipal officials emphasised that such operations are essential to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food sold to consumers meets legal and hygienic standards. The municipality reiterated its commitment to transparency, enforcement, and the protection of community well-being.

This decisive action underscores a broader message: illegal practices that endanger public health will not be tolerated, and coordinated enforcement between municipal teams and police will continue.

Source (Turkish): Famagusta (Gazimağusa) Municipality

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