Over 130 Tons of Unsafe Food Seized in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — More than 130 tons of unsafe food products have been confiscated in Uzbekistan, the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health reported.

According to the agency, in 2025 specialists conducted large-scale inspections at markets across the country aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring the population has access to safe and high-quality products.

During these inspections at 300 markets nationwide, 130.5 tons of products that did not meet sanitary standards were identified and seized. This included items past their expiration date, products with compromised organoleptic qualities, and goods of unknown origin. All confiscated products were disposed of.

As a result of the raids, 514 individuals selling meat, dairy, confectionery, and bakery products outside of designated areas were held administratively liable. Violators were operating without sanitary uniforms or mandatory medical examinations and were grossly violating sanitary regulations. All were fined.

The inspections also revealed several systemic problems. At 111 markets, there are no designated meat-selling pavilions; at 158 markets, there are no facilities for selling dairy products. In 27 cases, markets operate without veterinary-sanitary laboratories; in eight, there are no public restrooms; and in 17, no designated waste collection areas exist. Additionally, 80 markets lack running water, 142 have no wastewater disposal systems, and 77 facilities have no contracts with organizations responsible for disinfection, deratization, and pest control.

The Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Wellbeing, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, tax authorities, veterinary services, and market administrations, continues comprehensive measures to improve sanitary conditions and bring market operations in line with established standards.