Summer, a period of intense heat, also demands public health vigilance. Between products exposed to the sun, a broken cold chain, and fast food that is sometimes insufficiently monitored, the risks of food poisoning are multiplying. Faced with this situation, the relevant agencies are stepping up their preventative actions and calling on citizens to adopt more cautious habits in their consumption choices. This was stated to Le Jeune Independant by Aida Hamlaoui, a chief inspector in charge of fraud suppression at the Commerce Inspection.
According to the same official, Monday’s awareness campaign, organized by the Commerce Inspection in coordination with the hygiene office of the El-Achour municipality in Algiers, succeeded in educating numerous citizens. “We provided several practical tips aimed at reducing the hazards associated with consuming food items exposed to severe heat,” she noted.
Highlighting the importance of this campaign, organized under the slogan “Make healthy eating a permanent lifestyle,” Ms. Hamlaoui explained that it aims to educate consumers about risky behaviors to protect their well-being. A team was mobilized to warn the public about the dangers linked to certain products, particularly chips, energy drinks, and food sold outdoors under inadequate storage conditions.
Speakers also urged alertness regarding meat or chicken sandwiches, which may be undercooked or poorly preserved, especially during extreme heat, escalating the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Ms. Hamlaoui finally cautioned against items that do not respect the cold chain, notably ice cream sold outdoors. Power outages can trigger thawing followed by refreezing, altering their quality and potentially posing a threat to consumer health.
According to the inspector, enforcement services regularly detect violations, particularly the presence of spoiled meats or refrigerators failing to ensure a storage temperature that complies with mandatory standards. “It is also our duty to warn against the consumption of certain minced meat preparations, which are particularly widespread during the summer season. It is preferable to limit their consumption, or even avoid them when their origin and preparation conditions are not clearly identified,” she advised.
Field inspection operations consistently reveal failures to comply with hygiene and preservation rules during the preparation of these goods. Such practices can expose consumers to significant health threats, including food poisoning and, in the long term, certain serious illnesses.
==Practices That Mislead the Consumer
Regarding businesses, Ms. Hamlaoui, the chief inspector for fraud suppression, explained that some shopkeepers might be tempted to use meats whose expiration dates are approaching or have already passed. These products are then processed and resold as various preparations, notably merguez sausages, making it difficult for consumers to verify their actual quality.
The official emphasized that inspections regularly reveal infractions tied to food storage conditions. For instance, certain dairy products are sometimes displayed without refrigeration, or merchandise is placed outside shops to attract clients, violating current regulations.
Control services then carry out standard procedures, draw up official reports, and apply the legal measures stipulated for violators. However, within the framework of this campaign, the primary focus was placed on citizen awareness and the dissemination of practical advice aimed at preventing food poisoning during the summer.
In the booth set up for the occasion, several posters and educational panels highlighted key recommendations regarding the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Explanatory brochures were also distributed to citizens to inform them about proper food storage and consumption practices during the summer season.
Speakers recommended prioritizing home-cooked meals and eating out only when necessary, choosing establishments recognized for adhering to hygiene standards. “During the summer period, everyone must double their vigilance and look after their health,” they reiterated.
Furthermore, the inspector expressed regret over the weak mobilization of the invited associations. Despite the invitations sent to them, several failed to show up or backed out at the last minute, even though consumer protection and health risk prevention are among their core missions.