Restaurants and power outages: The risk of food poisoning is growing!

Tunisia is bracing for a potential surge in food poisoning cases this summer, fueled by concerns over the use of expired ingredients in eateries and bakeries. The problem is exacerbated by frequent electricity cuts that have compromised the cold chain, leading to the spoilage of perishable goods.

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we haven’t received complaints following cases of food poisoning due to restaurant services. That said, as a member of the Emergency Services Council at both the Salah Azaïez Hospital and Charles Nicolle Hospital, I can assure you that cases of admission for food poisoning are beginning to be recorded there.

Mohamed Rebhi, president of Insspa, reported 22 outbreaks of food poisoning from January to June, resulting in over 700 cases. These figures, considered alarming for a period without peak heat, were bolstered by 256 cases in Gabès and 25 in Métlaoui. The situation is expected to worsen as repeated power outages threaten the integrity of food supplies.

Lotfi Khaldi, president of the Consumer Defense Organization (ODC), acknowledges the growing risk of food poisoning from prematurely expired products. While official complaints have been scarce, Khaldi notes that hospital admissions for food poisoning are increasing. He also highlighted that restaurateurs and bakers have approached the ODC, reporting significant losses due to spoiled merchandise following electricity cuts.

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consumers are increasingly reluctant to file complaints, convinced that their requests will fall on deaf ears.

Many businesses have seen their provisions spoil because of planned electricity outages. Bakers, in particular, have had to discard partially baked bread rendered unsalvageable. Restaurateurs and bakers are seeking reimbursement from the Tunisian Society of Electricity and Gas (STEG) for their lost merchandise. However, STEG's policy currently only covers compensation for damaged equipment, not for spoiled goods, which the company classifies as a result of unforeseen force majeure.

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For the one as for the other, demanding reimbursement from Steg proves to be the only solution. Except that the Tunisian company of electricity and gas deigns to grant compensation only for damaged equipment. The merchandise, continues Mr. Khaldi, is considered damage resulting from unforeseen force majeure and is, by con