The National Authority for Economic Inspection and Food Safety (ANIESA) and the bodies of the municipal inspection services carried out an operation, which began on the 15th of December and ended on the 5th of January, with the registration of 966 infractions of different nature, during the sale of food products, according to Heleno Antunes, deputy inspector general of the aforementioned institution
During Operation Christmas, which began on December 15, 2023 and ended on January 5, 2024, carried out by the National Authority for Economic Inspection and Food Safety (ANIESA) and the bodies of municipal inspection services, in 10 provinces, namely Luanda, Bengo, Benguela, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cunene, Huíla, Malanje and Zaire.
The data results from a total of 528 visits carried out, from which it was possible to record 966 different infractions, seize various goods and, given the seriousness of the infractions, four commercial establishments were closed. There were cases of products that were out of date and others in poor condition, and two cases are ongoing under suspicion of price speculation.
The most relevant infractions were the lack of an acquisition invoice, price calculation structure, quality certificate, carrying out the activity without commercial licensing, products with an expired expiry date and poor conservation. “The products that were seized are meat, eggs, yogurts, sausages, soft drinks and energy drinks”, he highlighted. The municipalities in which the team experienced the greatest difficulty during the operation were Viana and Cacuaco, depending on the number of industries, stores and economic activity in general that each one contains.
According to Heleno Antunes, this year’s operation was positive compared to the past 2022 to 2023, in which only 50 visits were carried out, 215 infractions were found, five seizures were made and a single company was temporarily suspended. “Infractions arise depending on the number of visits, if the team carries out more visits the number of infractions is greater, if there are fewer the number is lower.
The appeal goes to commercial operators to follow good practices and collaborate with institutions, as the prices on the shelves must be the same as those recorded at the cash register”, he highlighted. He recalled that ANIESA develops a strategy every year to end price speculation during the festive season, but unfortunately many economic operators see this period as “an easy profit”. Operations are intensified from November onwards, when teams enter the field, both for importers, wholesalers and the distribution chain.
