Algerian Radio
The mobile laboratories for analyzing the quality of imported products, recently put into service at Algerian ports, have significantly strengthened the control and protection system for consumer health. They have also effectively contributed to reducing processing times for goods, thereby facilitating the supply of the national market.
Operational since last November, the eight mobile laboratories installed at commercial ports now provide continuous service for the control of imported products. By improving on-site product analysis operations—especially by reducing processing times to real-time—they allow trade inspectors to make immediate decisions regarding the market access of these goods.
The contribution and role of this equipment were highlighted on Saturday during a visit for the national press, organized by the Ministry of Internal Trade and National Market Regulation at the Port of Algiers, on the eve of World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated annually on March 15.
Acquired upon the instructions of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, with the aim of strengthening on-site product control efforts, these laboratories have been deployed in the ports of Algiers, Annaba, Skikda, Jijel, Bejaia, Mostaganem, Oran, and Ghazaouet. They were entrusted to the Algerian Center for Quality Control and Packaging (CACQE), an institution under the Ministry of Internal Trade and National Market Regulation.
On this occasion, the Director General of Economic Control and Fraud Repression at the ministry, Mohamed Mezghache, explained that "the main mission of these laboratories consists of verifying the conformity of products with technical standards and characteristics, according to the legislation in force. This falls within the framework of protecting consumer health and safety, as well as contributing effectively to the customs clearance of containers in ports within very short timeframes."
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, these laboratories—installed in adapted, locally manufactured light commercial vehicles to analyze imported products and verify their quality—enable effective action against non-compliant or fraudulent products before they enter the market, the ministry official highlighted. He specified that their missions are carried out in collaboration with trade inspectors who take product samples, and in coordination with customs services and port authorities.
This involves conducting detailed microbiological and physico-chemical analyses of products, particularly agri-food goods, before they leave the port premises, he noted, highlighting the time saved through the implementation of these resources. Previously, this type of analysis was conducted in fixed laboratories within the sector's facilities, requiring more complex procedures and lengthy delays.
"Today, the ministry has quality control tools at border posts that can respond to requests from other services and operators, notably customs and the Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment," he pointed out.
The same official added that, thanks to this new equipment, the ministry's services can also handle product analyses at local markets through trade inspectors who collect samples for instant analysis.
For his part, the project manager in charge of acquiring these laboratories, Mohamed Khelifa, indicated that the commissioning of these facilities has allowed for a "qualitative leap in terms of the microbiological analysis of imported products, reducing processing times from several days to just a few minutes."
In this regard, he cited the example of controlling the import of milk powder intended for industrial milk or baby formula. This previously required a minimum of five days to verify its conformity, but the timeframe has now been reduced to a very short period.
The engineers mobilized for these control operations pay particular attention to the composition of this powder in terms of protein, fat, acidity, and moisture. According to Mr. Khelifa, these laboratories also examine "Halal" products, notably by detecting the use of pork-derived or alcoholic substances in food items.
"Thanks to this equipment, we can determine the detailed microbiological aspects of imported products, as well as the level of pesticide residues and the natural materials of the products. It is a first for the country to carry out this type of on-site analysis so quickly on samples at ports and border posts," he noted, assuring that highly skilled Algerian professionals have been trained in this field alongside international partners.
The objective of these laboratories remains to protect consumers from all food hazards and to facilitate the processing of import files for economic operators within a very short timeframe, he further assured. He also emphasized that "the great merit in realizing this project goes to the President of the Republic, who decided to place this equipment at the sector's disposal to monitor the quality and standards of imported products."
