The National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (A.N.S.V.S.A.) carried out thematic controls between February 16 and 29, 2024, to verify the authenticity and quality parameters of food products obtained by processing milk and/or dairy products sold on the national market.

The veterinary health and food safety inspectors from the county D.S.V.S.A. and the Bucharest municipality carried out inspections at various objectives, including authorized food warehouses, dairy product repackaging units, logistics platforms, grocery stores, public catering units, markets wholesale and grocery stores within markets and shopping complexes.

As part of these controls, batches of food products obtained by processing milk and/or dairy products from EU member states and third countries were checked.

Also, samples were taken for laboratory analysis in order to determine the physico-chemical parameters, according to the information on the label, to identify the types of milk used in the manufacture of these products, as well as to detect the addition of vegetable fats and soy proteins.

As a result of the non-conformities, found at the 1,218 controlled units, 137 contraventional sanctions were applied, in the amount of 971,640 lei, 2 Ordinances were issued to suspend the activity and 4 Ordinances to prohibit the activity.

At the same time, 104 samples of dairy products were taken and sent to the Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health Institute (I.I.S.P.V.) for laboratory determinations.

Among the detected and sanctioned violations, we mention:

Unauthorized or unregistered sanitary, veterinary and food safety warehouses;

Non-compliance with the rules of packaging and labeling of dairy products;

Nonconformities regarding hygiene conditions in dairy repackaging units;

Lack of necessary documentation or authorizations in logistics platforms/distribution terminals;

Failure to comply with food safety standards in food stores;

Deficiencies in hygiene and food handling practices in public catering establishments;

Irregularities regarding the storage and handling of dairy products in wholesale markets and stores within their premises;

Identification of counterfeit or unlabeled food products;

Unauthorized additions of vegetable fat or soy protein in dairy products;

Failure to comply with the information on the label regarding the types of milk used in the manufacture of dairy products. Documentary Communication and Logistics Service (Photo: Freepik)