Spanish authorities have taken decisive action by seizing more than 28 tons of food that was deemed unfit for human consumption. The items were discovered in facilities belonging to companies in the provinces of Zaragoza, Valencia, and Almería, according to the Guardia Civil.
Officials reported that the confiscated food included meat products, frozen fish, and other items that had been sold with expired shelf life dates, manipulated labels, and discrepancies in traceability.
A total of eight individuals were arrested in connection with the operation, while another 81 are currently under investigation for various offenses, including fraud, public health violations, and document falsification.
Dubbed “Operation Potacar,” the operation involved collaboration between authorities from the regions of Aragon, Valencia, and Andalusia.
The food seizures took place primarily in distribution warehouses, with the first inspection occurring at a company in Cuarte de Huerva, Zaragoza. During this visit, inspectors uncovered food that they believed had been relabeled with extended shelf life dates, with various batches subsequently sold to other locations.
A second inspection at another company in Zaragoza revealed similar issues, including food that had already expired and items that should have been sold as fresh but had instead been frozen before the expiration date and subsequently put up for sale.
In Xirivella, Valencia, investigators found a company selling products with expired dates and irregularities in labeling during another inspection.
Additional non-compliances were discovered during visits to 19 other establishments in various locations, according to the Guardia Civil.
Another phase of the operation involved inspections of numerous outlets across different areas over several months. During this phase, more than 18,000 kilograms of products were seized due to safety concerns.
The operation culminated in a further 45 inspections at various establishments, leading to additional food product confiscations. The majority of the seized food was found at a company in Zaragoza, which supplied meat products to other locations.
This latest incident follows a similar seizure earlier this year when Spanish authorities confiscated over 16 tons of unfit food products, including beverages, canned items, meat products, nuts, and sweets, from a warehouse used for food distribution. In a separate investigation, nine individuals were arrested for selling cannabis packaged to resemble bags of sweets as part of “Operation Kaugumi.” These products were found to be marketed at sports nutrition stores and service stations.
