Food and Veterinary Agency seizes and destroys one tonne of banned chicken gizzard

The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) reported that its inspectors carried out extraordinary checks at butcheries in Ohrid and Struga and seized and destroyed one tonne (1,000 kilograms) of chicken gizzard that is banned for import and use in food production.

In the same operation the inspectors also confiscated and destroyed 55 kilograms of meat preparations in which the banned gizzard had been used. Authorities filed administrative offence charges against two butcheries for failing to comply with the ban.

Heightened controls after risk assessment and prior inspections

The inspections in Ohrid and Struga were part of intensified controls aimed at preventing illegal trade in this type of food, curbing associated criminal activity and protecting consumer health, the Agency said.

“In order to ensure a high level of protection of public health and the interests of consumers, the Agency in July 2024 adopted a decision to ban the import and use of chicken gizzard intended for human consumption, and for use in the production of preparations and products, due to identified potential risks from using the muscular part of poultry gizzards to human health – possible contamination with pathogens—bacteria and viruses, presence of toxins, etc. The ban decision was adopted on the basis of the results of a risk analysis of possible hazards to citizens’ health from consumption of this type of poultry offal and on the results of inspections that at the time established abuse and fraud of consumers by several meat industries,” the Agency said.

Inspectors say the recent seizures and sanctions are aimed at enforcement of that decision and to deter further misuse of banned ingredients in the meat supply chain.

Photo: AHV