The first phase of Nébih’s national winter food chain inspection has been completed

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 12. 08. 12:05

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This year, increased official inspections of popular winter holiday foods and the facilities that produce them are taking place across the country. Nébih and regional food chain supervision authorities are examining, among other things, the production of fresh pork, sauerkraut, as well as Christmas sweets and bagels. The first phase of the inspection series ordered by Parliamentary State Secretary András Tállai and launched on November 3rd has been concluded, with overall encouraging results. In the continuation, special attention will be paid, among other things, to the sale of live fish and the inspection of alcoholic beverages sold at events.

In the first phase of the national inspection, a total of 101 food production facilities were inspected by the authorities with the participation of county government offices, district offices and Nébih experts. In the inspection of more than a hundred facilities, only 8 cases were subject to official proceedings.

In the first period of the inspection series, fresh pork was inspected in a total of 38 slaughterhouses/cutting plants. Based on the experience so far, it can be said that the inspected facilities are typically well maintained, and the work processes are carried out in accordance with good hygiene practice. The traceability and marking of the products, as well as the performance of self-inspection activities, also complied with the requirements of the legislation. In some cases, the inspectors recorded minor deviations that could be corrected immediately or within a short time, and proceedings were initiated against only 3 facilities: due to hygiene, marking or self-inspection objections. Despite the detected errors, the products were considered safe, so their withdrawal from the market was not justified. The inspection of pork production will continue until the end of the year.

The experts also conducted on-site inspections at 36 Christmas candy and 27 sauerkraut producers. In this process, official procedures were initiated in 5 cases: 4 candy and 1 sauerkraut producer. Samples were also taken during the inspections. Laboratory tests are still ongoing, and based on the results so far, no objections have been raised.

It can also be said that the candy and sauerkraut production facilities are operating in proper hygienic and technical condition. During the production processes, the regulations for the given products, as set out in the Hungarian Food Code and on the product sheet, were typically complied with. The labeling of the finished products was appropriate in most cases, including the labeling for additives and allergens.

However, in some plants, maintenance-related, hygiene or labeling violations occurred, among other things. In their case, the official procedures and the correction of deficiencies are still in progress.

Every year, the authority carries out a comprehensive inspection related to the winter holiday period, the aim of which remains to guarantee food safety during the holidays. The extensive, coordinated campaign, which has been underway since the beginning of November this year, will last until the end of the year. In addition to the areas inspected so far, the second phase will focus on the inspection of bagels, game meat and fish processing plants in December. Food chain safety inspectors will also closely monitor alcoholic beverages, including mulled wine and punch, offered by caterers at Christmas markets and ice rinks.