The Libyan Public Prosecutor’s Office has disclosed findings of significant food safety violations following inspections of farms and retail outlets across Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata.
Laboratory analyses of agricultural samples revealed that 65 per cent contained residues of seven pesticides banned under national legislation, including substances classified internationally as carcinogenic or mutagenic.
The inspections, conducted in February 2026, formed part of broader enforcement efforts targeting environmental and food security breaches linked to the use of prohibited agrochemicals. Authorities said several samples exceeded permissible safety thresholds, prompting the prosecution to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals involved in the importation, distribution, storage, and use of the banned substances.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office added that investigations will continue to trace supply chains and dismantle distribution networks responsible for circulating the hazardous chemicals. Officials stressed that the measures are aimed at strengthening food safety systems and protecting public health from long-term environmental and biological risks.
