ANSVSA announces through a press release that it has ordered the continuation of inspections to verify the authenticity and quality parameters of certain food products obtained through milk processing and/or dairy products sold on the Romanian market.

Thus, representatives of the County Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates, as well as the Municipality of Bucharest, conducted 996 inspections in authorized/registered food warehouses, dairy product repackaging units, logistic platforms/distribution terminals supplying supermarket/hypermarket chains, grocery stores, public catering units, wholesale markets, grocery stores located within markets and/or commercial complexes, and supermarket/hypermarket units.

During these inspections, batches of food products obtained through milk processing and/or dairy products from EU member states/third countries, which were repackaged in Romania's authorized sanitary veterinary units, were also checked for labeling and marking compliance.

As a result of the identified irregularities and violations of food safety legislation, 101 administrative fines were imposed, totaling 703,200 lei.

Furthermore, 4 activity suspension orders and 2 activity prohibition orders were issued, and the official retention/seizure measure was ordered for a quantity of 14,443 kg of dairy products.

Following the inspections, a number of irregularities were found, including:

- Non-compliance with sanitary veterinary norms regarding packaging, labeling, and storage;

- Incomplete wearing of sanitary protective equipment by personnel handling food products;

- Use of unauthorized sanitary veterinary transport means for food transportation.

Additionally, 148 samples of dairy products were collected for laboratory analysis to determine physico-chemical parameters, aiming to verify compliance with label specifications, identify the milk species used for manufacturing, and detect any additions of vegetable fats and soy proteins.

From the results of the laboratory analyses of dairy products, the following non-conformities were identified, particularly regarding physico-chemical parameter analysis, with percentage differences compared to the declared values on the label by the manufacturer:

- Lower percentage of fat compared to the declared value;

- Higher percentage of chlorides/salt compared to the declared value;

- Lower percentage of dry matter compared to the declared value;

- Lower percentage of protein compared to the declared value;

- Inconsistencies regarding the milk species of origin, as reported on the label information.

ANSVSA inspectors will sanction all economic operators who do not comply with hygiene standards and requirements to prevent risks to food safety. Communication and Documentary Logistics Service (Photo: Freepik)