Several actions were also carried out to verify the general and specific hygiene requirements of catering and beverage establishments.

As a result of these actions, around 90 economic operators were inspected, with 2 criminal proceedings for alleged illegitimate profit (speculation) and 21 infringement proceedings, highlighting the following main infractions: non-compliance with the labelling of personal protective equipment (masks), the availability of a biocidal product on the market without the necessary authorisation from the competent authority, the lack of technical data sheets for product safety, non-compliance with general and specific hygiene requirements, among others.

Approximately 14,350 items were seized, namely masks and visors (PPE) due to lack of conformity and lack of certification by an accredited laboratory and also, of different foodstuffs, all in the amount of approximately 9,000 Euros, and the activity of a catering and drinks establishment was also suspended.

ASAE, as a Criminal Police Body and Market Surveillance Authority, will remain vigilant in the market by carrying out actions to verify compliance with the regulations regarding the exercise of economic activities, and, in the current context, the incidence of inspection will remain it will necessarily be intensified in matters related to the situation inherent to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a balance sheet, up to now, around 1,700 economic operators have been inspected in this area, with 104 criminal proceedings and 227 administrative offenses. Approximately 582,000 masks and 23,000 litres of alcohol-gel were also seized, all in excess of one million Euros.