Cusano Mutri – It's one of the most anticipated and popular autumn festivals in Campania, attracting thousands of visitors each year to the stands of this Sannio village. But behind the scent of mushrooms and chestnuts, symbols of local tradition, the Cusano Mutri festival also conceals a dark side to festivals: violations of hygiene and food safety regulations.
A task force composed of officers from the Administrative Team of the Benevento Police Headquarters, along with veterinarians and biologists from the ASL Prevention Department, carried out a series of widespread checks on kitchens, food stalls, and stands set up in the streets and squares of the historic center.
The results speak for themselves: over 60 kilos of food seized and fines totaling approximately €5.000.
Widespread irregularities and untraceable products
According to the findings, serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies were found in several inspected establishments: dirty kitchens, lack of adequate sanitation procedures, and environments that did not comply with safety standards.
At some stands, checks led to the seizure of over 30 kilos of untraceable mushrooms, stored in pantries without the necessary health certifications. Some of the produce did not come from authorized growers, and the mandatory labels required by food traceability regulations were missing.
Inspectors also found workplace safety irregularities, including the lack of fire extinguishers and the documentation required by law.
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Food safety and festivals: an increasingly complex challenge
Local festivals and fairs are an economic and cultural driving force for many towns in Campania, but events like the one in Cusano Mutri bring to the forefront an often overlooked issue: protecting public health.
Growing public participation, combined with the presence of occasional and sometimes improvised operators, makes strict controls by health authorities and law enforcement essential.
In recent years, similar operations have been conducted in other provinces—from Avellino to Caserta—where non-compliant food products have been seized and refreshment points have been temporarily closed due to serious hygiene deficiencies.
“It's not just a question of fines,” explains a health inspector, “but of prevention: an untraceable food item can put the health of hundreds of people at risk.”
Honest and clever weekend traders
The vast majority of traders participating in these fairs operate within the rules and contribute to promoting the local area. However, as often happens, a few crafty traders take advantage of the crowds and organizational chaos to sell substandard or dubious products, relying on the difficulty of real-time inspections.
The Cusano Mutri festival, with its history and popularity, remains a symbol of autumn in Sannio. But recent events are a wake-up call: food safety isn't a bureaucratic detail, but a pillar of trust between suppliers and consumers.
Comments (1)
It's truly important to pay attention to hygiene standards during festivals, but I don't understand how these irregularities still exist after so many years. More needs to be done to protect citizens' health.