The Civil Guard uncovered a substantial stash of ham, totaling about 970 kilograms, stored in a warehouse in a town within the Los Alcores area of Seville. The product was in poor condition and appeared to be prepared for sale, raising serious health and safety concerns for consumers in the region and beyond. The operation underscores ongoing vigilance over food safety and the handling of meat products destined for human consumption.
Officials described the intervention as the fruit of mid-December surveillance linked to heightened monitoring during the Christmas season. The aim was to ensure that foodstuffs sold for human consumption met established safety standards and hygienic requirements. The concern centered on products that could pose risks to public health if distributed unchecked, prompting immediate action from authorities.
Agents from the Nature Conservancy Service (Seprona) traced a storage facility connected to a company involved in ham sales. They discovered that the warehouse functioned as a distribution point where ham was sliced and vacuum packed for marketing. This sequence suggested a supply chain that could bypass normal regulatory oversight, complicating the task of guaranteeing safety, labeling accuracy, and traceability.
Authorities determined that the warehouse was not registered with health authorities and failed to meet the minimum hygienic-sanitary conditions required to safeguard end consumers. The findings indicated a systemic risk: inadequate sanitation protocols, improper storage temperatures, and the potential for cross-contamination, all of which could compromise product integrity and public health.
The inspection extended over three consecutive days due to the large quantity of items involved. In addition to the ham, inspectors found a clipper used for trimming meat that retained food residues, highlighting lapses in sanitation practices and the need for stricter process controls throughout the facility. The combined evidence led to the seizure of 970.8 kilograms of ham deemed unsafe for consumption, with authorities emphasizing that no portion of the stock met safety criteria for sale or distribution.
The company faces multiple disciplinary investigations focused on health and consumer safety, with authorities indicating that significant economic sanctions could follow if violations are confirmed. The Civil Guard continues its inquiry to determine responsibility, assess potential accomplices, and evaluate the total impact on public health risk. While no final conclusions have been issued, authorities have not ruled out additional actions as the investigation advances.
The intervention involved collaboration with public health representatives from the Seville North-Aljarafe region, working alongside the Ministry of Health of the Government of Andalusia. This cooperative approach highlights the importance of cross-agency coordination in maintaining food safety standards, ensuring rapid response to potential hazards, and protecting consumers across both local communities and broader markets. The case illustrates how health authorities monitor the meat supply chain, from storage to slicing and packaging, to prevent unsafe products from entering commerce and to hold entities accountable when regulatory requirements are breached. [Citation: Civil Guard, Seprona, regional health authorities]