**Health Inspectors Identify Sanitary Violations in Djibouti City Businesses**
**DJIBOUTI** – Agents from the National Laboratory for Food Analysis (LANAA) conducted a series of sanitary inspections across various businesses and warehouses in Djibouti City on Sunday, uncovering multiple violations regarding hygiene and food storage standards.
The inspections, carried out by mobile brigades from the LANAA, targeted a range of establishments, including retail shops, grocery stores, restaurants, and storage facilities. The teams evaluated products based on expiration dates, storage conditions, and the integrity of packaging.
During the operation, inspectors identified several irregularities. In some establishments, raw poultry was found stored in the same freezers as beverages, a practice that increases the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, inspectors reported evidence of broken cold chains, signs of thawing, blood residue, and poor hygiene standards regarding equipment and storage areas.
In a statement, the LANAA warned that these conditions “are likely to promote cross-contamination and compromise food safety.” During the site visits, agents instructed business operators on the necessity of separating raw food items from other products, maintaining consistent cold chain temperatures, and ensuring the regular cleaning of premises and equipment.
The LANAA noted that these field inspections may be followed by laboratory analysis of product samples to further assess compliance.
The agency stated that this operation is part of a preventive effort to mitigate health risks associated with the consumption of non-compliant food products. The LANAA emphasized that food safety is a “shared responsibility” involving regulatory authorities, importers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurateurs, and consumers.
Article and image source: adi.dj
