Irregularities at a third of beach clubs, health cops say
The Carabinieri’s NAS health police unit said on Thursday that it had found irregularities at 257 of the 883 Italian beach establishments it visited, or 31 per cent, during a recent round of inspections.
The European Commission has for some time been pressing Italy to end the system under which concessions to run lucrative beach bars and restaurants are automatically rolled over to the existing holder, saying they must be put out to tender. (Photo: ANSA)
The European Commission has for some time been pressing Italy to end the system under which concessions to run lucrative beach bars and restaurants are automatically rolled over to the existing holder, saying they must be put out to tender. (Photo: ANSA)
It said breaches of regulations included the presence of illegally built structures, poor hygiene and food that had passed its expiry date.
Most of the best parts of Italy’s shoreline are occupied by beach bars and restaurants that rent out sun loungers and offer various other facilities.
The NAS said it handed down 415 criminal and administrative penalties for a total of over €290,000 following the inspections.
It said the owners of 11 businesses had been reported to criminal prosecutors and 20 establishments had been closed due to “serious structural and hygiene problems”.
ANSA
