The Ministry of Health (Minsa) temporarily closed five commercial establishments, including restaurants and supermarkets, in the district of Arraiján, Panamá Oeste province.
During the operation, officials from the National Directorate of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance (DINACAVV) seized several allegedly fake food handler permits, as well as cigarettes, whose sale is prohibited in the country. The regional director of Minsa, Jorge Melo, indicated that officials have mechanisms to identify fake permits.
Additionally, a bakery was found operating inside a supermarket without a health license, so all products for sale were seized and destroyed.
During the inspection of a Chinese restaurant, the use of completely burnt oil and food in a deplorable state was detected, Melo said.
The owners of the temporarily closed commercial establishments will have a 30-day period to comply with the health recommendations. However, they must also pay a fine of between $3,000 and $5,000.
Officials from the National Directorate of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance (DINACAVV) also found rotting meat in the inspected supermarkets.
