ANPC Tightens Controls on Dairy Products to Protect Consumers

Between June 16 and 30, 2025, the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) carried out a nationwide inspection campaign targeting the sale of drinking milk, dairy products, and dairy-based items. This action was part of a dedicated food safety initiative and focused on ensuring proper consumer information and compliance with storage regulations.

Acting ANPC President Sebastian Hotca delivered a strong message to businesses, warning that any violations potentially affecting public health would be penalized without hesitation. When it comes to perishable products like milk, there is zero tolerance for non-compliance.

The inspections uncovered serious violations, including the sale of products past their expiration date, items showing visible signs of spoilage (discoloration and unpleasant odor), damaged packaging, and incorrect or incomplete labeling. Many products were stored at improper temperatures—often exceeding 10°C instead of the recommended 2–8°C range. Additionally, unpackaged (bulk) dairy items lacked essential information such as ingredients, production date, fat content, and storage conditions. In many cases, allergen information was missing entirely.

Another major issue was the display of dairy products alongside items containing fats or proteins of non-dairy origin, posing a risk of misleading consumers regarding the true nature of the products.

To mitigate risks, ANPC urges consumers to check packaging and storage temperatures, ask for product labels, and avoid buying from unauthorized sources. It is also important to clearly distinguish genuine dairy products from substitutes containing vegetable fats. Consumers are advised to keep their receipts in case they need to report issues or file complaints.

ANPC has announced that it will continue these inspections and enforce penalties wherever breaches are found, with the goal of safeguarding the health and safety of Romanian consumers.