Famagusta Pre‑Ramadan Production Facility Inspections

Famagusta Pre‑Ramadan Production Facility Inspections

Within the scope of the renewed protocol between the Famagusta Municipality Police Unit and the Chamber of Food Engineers, comprehensive inspections were carried out last week—focusing particularly on bakeries and bakery‑product production facilities—ahead of the month of Ramadan.

As a result of the inspections conducted by Police Unit teams and Food Engineers:

• 5 enterprises were fined half of the gross minimum wage due to employees lacking valid health cards.
• 1 enterprise was fined the full gross minimum wage for failing to meet hygiene requirements. Production at this facility was suspended until proper hygiene conditions are restored.

Famagusta Municipality reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that residents have access to healthy and safe food. Inspections will continue throughout Ramadan with a scientific, transparent, and determined approach.

Inspections Conducted Using Scientific Criteria

Food inspections carried out by the Famagusta Municipality Police Unit are based on scientific standards defined in the protocol signed with the Chamber of Food Engineers.

The cooperation agreement—first established in 2023 and renewed last week—clarifies hygiene and food‑safety rules and strengthens inspection capacity through theoretical and practical training for police personnel.

Concrete Criteria Used During Inspections

Inspections focus on:

• Physical conditions of enterprises
• Personnel hygiene and valid health certificates
• Food storage and preservation conditions
• Labelling rules and compliance with legislation
• Documentation of all deficiencies in official reports

Particular attention is given to:

• Personnel hygiene and up‑to‑date health certificates
• Supply and storage conditions of raw materials
• Hygienic production processes and food safety
• Ventilation, lighting, chimney and aspirator systems
• Proper separation of sales and production areas

Weight‑control checks are also included. Products sold in markets—especially the Thursday Market—are inspected to ensure they match their declared weights.

Markets, School Canteens and Temporary Sales Areas Also Inspected

The inspection programme extends beyond bakeries. Markets, grocery stores, school canteens, festivals, events, and temporary sales areas are also monitored.

Products that are expired, improperly labelled, or stored under unsuitable conditions are confiscated and destroyed by police teams.

Source (Turkish): Famagusta (Gazimağus) Municipality

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