Authorities seize over 130 tons of spoiled food from markets across Uzbekistan

The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health inspected 300 agricultural markets across the country.

The large-scale inspections, initiated by the Committee, were aimed at improving hygiene standards, preventing cases of food poisoning, and ensuring the population has access to safe food products.

During the raids, more than 130 tons of expired or unsanitary products were identified and confiscated. The sale of homemade dishes that had not undergone proper safety checks was also prohibited.

According to the report, 514 violators engaged in the sale of meat, dairy products, confectionery, and bread outside designated trading areas and without compliance with sanitary requirements were held administratively liable and fined.

Experts also identified several problems at the markets:

many markets lack specialized pavilions for the sale of meat and dairy products;
veterinary and sanitary laboratories do not operate everywhere;
not all markets have public toilets and waste containers;
water supply and wastewater disposal systems are inadequately organized;
contracts with organizations for disinfection and pest control are often missing.