The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) informs that it has ordered new official inspections to verify the authenticity and quality parameters of certain food products obtained through the processing of milk and/or dairy products marketed in Romania.

Thus, during the mentioned period, representatives of the County Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates, as well as those of the Municipality of Bucharest, conducted 3,180 inspections in authorized/registered sanitary veterinary and food safety warehouses, units for repackaging dairy products, 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 the processing of milk and/or dairy products originating from EU member states/third countries, which were repackaged in units in Romania authorized by sanitary veterinary for repackaging activities, were also checked for marking and labeling compliance.

Furthermore, 412 samples of dairy and dairy products were collected for laboratory analysis to determine physico-chemical parameters, aiming to verify compliance with label inscriptions, identify the species of origin of the milk used in the manufacture of these products, as well as detect additions of vegetable fats and soy proteins.

As a result of the identified irregularities and violations of food safety legislation, 368 administrative fines were imposed, totaling 2,849,340 lei. Additionally, 6 orders to suspend activities, 13 orders to prohibit activities, and the measure of official retention/seizure for a quantity of 17,083 kg of dairy products were issued.

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

- Non-compliance with sanitary veterinary norms regarding storage and maintenance of spaces;

- Operation of the unit without holding sanitary veterinary and food safety authorization;

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

- Use of unauthorized sanitary veterinary transport means for food transport;

- Failure to carry out DDD (disinfection, disinsection, and deratization) actions in the product storage space.

From the results of the dairy product analyses, the following non-conformities were identified, especially regarding the analysis of physico-chemical parameters, percentage differences compared to the declared values on the label by the manufacturer:

- Lower percentage of fat than declared;

- Higher percentage of chlorides/salt than declared;

- Lower percentage of dry matter than declared;

- Lower percentage of protein than declared;

- Discrepancies regarding the species of milk origin, compared to the information on the label.

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