Cape Verde Health Crackdown: 35 Shops Closed for Infestations
Health inspectors in Cape Verde have shuttered 35 retail businesses after discovering alarming sanitary conditions, including infestations of rats and cockroaches. The crackdown, led by the General Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IGAE), revealed a staggering 89% non-compliance rate among the businesses surveyed—the highest level of violations recorded in six years.
A Growing Crisis in Food Safety
The IGAE conducted 208 inspections during the first half of September, targeting shops across the islands. The results paint a grim picture for local consumers: nearly nine out of every ten establishments failed to meet basic regulatory standards. The agency warned that these failures expose the public to “various and serious risks.”
Establishments ordered to close were forced into temporary suspensions to undergo intensive cleaning and disinfestation. According to the IGAE, these closures typically lasted two days to address the immediate presence of pests such as rodents and cockroaches.
Widespread Seizures and Illegal Trade
Working alongside the National Police and municipal forces in Praia and São Vicente, inspectors seized significant quantities of food products. The confiscated items were either past their expiration dates, improperly preserved, or contaminated by pests. The operation also targeted the sale of illegal spirits, known locally as aguardente.
Authorities Vow Tighter Oversight
The surge in violations follows a recent pledge by Inspector General Elisângelo Monteiro to prioritize food safety. Upon his reappointment in late August, Monteiro signaled that the IGAE would no longer tolerate negligence in the food sector.
“I encountered situations such as a lack of hygienic conditions, which endangers public health, but also the poor preservation of foodstuffs,” Monteiro stated. “These are infractions that typically stand out and to which the IGAE will give special attention in the coming times.”
As the IGAE ramps up its enforcement, the agency is urging business owners to adhere strictly to hygiene and safety protocols to protect the population and avoid further closures.
Image: Pexels – Anna Shvets
