Published in News
Greece: 4.8 Tonnes of Unsafe Meat Seized in Attica
Food inspectors in the Athens region removed nearly five tonnes of expired meat from the supply chain during Carnival checks.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
Large-Scale Checks During Carnival Season
Food safety inspectors in the Attica Region, which includes Athens, carried out major inspections on 12 February. The date marked Tsiknopempti, a traditional day when meat consumption is very high across Greece.
Because demand increases during the Carnival period, authorities stepped up controls across the Athens metropolitan area. Inspection teams visited:
Refrigerated storage warehouses
Meat suppliers and distributors
Retail shops and butcher stores
Their main aim was to protect public health and prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.
Nearly Five Tonnes Found in Warehouse
During an inspection in Kapandriti, officials discovered 4,780 kilograms (4.8 tonnes) of meat stored in a refrigerated warehouse.
After checking the labels and expiry dates, inspectors confirmed that the meat had passed the legal shelf-life limit. This means it was no longer safe to sell.
Authorities immediately seized the entire quantity and began procedures for its safe destruction, following both Greek and European Union food safety laws.
Clear Message From Regional Authorities
Nikos Hardalias, Governor of Attica, ordered even stricter inspections throughout the Carnival season.
He stated that:
Controls will continue at every stage of transport and sale
Warehouses and distribution centers will face targeted checks
Businesses that break food safety rules will face legal consequences
He stressed that protecting public health is a top priority and that violations will not be tolerated.
Inspections to Continue
Authorities confirmed that inspection teams remain active across the region. They are checking:
Storage temperatures
Production and expiry dates
Hygiene conditions in shops
Proper documentation of products
Officials are also asking businesses and citizens to cooperate fully with inspectors.
Focus on Consumer Safety
The seizure of nearly five tonnes of expired meat highlights the importance of strict food safety controls, especially during periods of high demand.
Authorities say they will continue monitoring the market to ensure that products reaching consumers are safe and meet all legal standards.
Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/02/15/inspectors-remove-4-8-tonnes-of-unsafe-meat-from-supply-chain/