Law No. 16 of 2019 amending some provisions of Law No. 112 of 2013 establishing the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition

This law introduces changes to three specific articles, namely Article 12, Article 13, and Article 15. In Article 12, a new paragraph is added, stipulating that the Food and Nutrition Authority, in collaboration with relevant national authorities, is committed to establishing laboratories for inspecting imported food products at all entry points, including land, air, and sea ports. This amendment is driven by the significance of imported food, which constitutes a significant portion of citizens' daily consumption. It is crucial to ensure that these products are thoroughly examined before entering the country, thereby preventing any potential harm or contamination. The presence of inspection laboratories at border crossings streamlines the process and safeguards the integrity of these food products during their transportation to internal testing facilities and storage.
Article 13 is also revised in response to practical experiences, necessitating a reconsideration of actions and penalties related to the sale, display, or disposal of reserved foods — whether before or after their declaration, whether they meet specifications or not, or whether they are safe for consumption. Additionally, a new Article 13 bis is introduced, which grants the Authority the power to temporarily close a facility as a precautionary measure until final rulings are issued. This measure also restricts the owner of the company and the authorized signatory from granting any licenses related to food and nutrition during this period.
Finally, the Law modifies the text of Article 15 to enhance penalties and raise the maximum fines for violations of food and nutrition regulations.