Nébih is already preparing for the holidays – winter seasonal inspections are starting

András Tállai explained that the official action will begin on November 3, before the Christmas period, during which experts will inspect, among other things, the production of fresh pork, sauerkraut, bagels, and the most popular Christmas sweets (bacon candies, Santa Claus figures, marshmallows). In addition, as the holiday approaches, inspectors also inspect mulled wine, Christmas punch and other alcoholic beverages sold at ice rinks and Christmas markets. The winter inspections also include the supervision of live fish sales.

In the case of fresh meat, ensuring traceability is a key aspect. When inspecting slaughterhouses and cutting plants, experts focus on food safety, particularly hygiene, traceability and self-inspection.

During the production of Christmas sweets, bagels and sauerkraut, official inspections cover, in addition to hygiene aspects and traceability, additives, the inclusion of mandatory labelling elements, and compliance with the requirements of the Hungarian Food Code and the product sheet. In the case of these product groups, samples are also taken for laboratory tests. In the case of chocolates, the vegetable fat (e.g. palm oil) and total cocoa solids content of the products are examined in particular, and in the case of bagels, the nut and poppy seed filling is examined in particular – the State Secretary detailed.

Compliance with hygiene rules and ensuring personal and material conditions are also a basic requirement for caterers deployed to Christmas markets and ice rinks. During the inspections, experts also check the documents certifying the origin of the raw materials used to produce the alcoholic beverages, mulled wines and punches sold, as well as the existence of the recipe. In the case of cloudy, separated or incorrectly packaged products, official sampling may also be carried out, and if justified, the product in question may be withdrawn from circulation as an immediate measure.

In the next two months, shops and temporary fish selling points can also expect to be subject to special inspections of the sale of live fish. During this, great attention is paid to the fish’s origin documents and compliance with animal protection rules. In addition to the conditions for storing fish, the inspectors also examine whether the animals are properly stunned before slaughter.

In order to ensure that the requirements are fully met for products related to the festive season, Nébih pays special attention to primary producers, large-scale and craft beer production, game meat cutters and fish processing plants.

The authority’s fundamental goal is stable food safety throughout the year. This effort receives special attention during seasonal inspections, of which the winter inspection series is intended to guarantee safe, peaceful holidays.