Oliver Milanov: Citizens eat safe food, AHV preparing double fines for negligent operators

Oliver Milanov, director of the Agency for Food and Veterinary (AHV), told reporters that citizens in North Macedonia consume safe food, but that penalties for negligent operators are currently too low and are set to be doubled under planned amendments to the misdemeanour law. His remarks came ahead of an event marking World Food Day.

Inspection results and recent seizures

Milanov said the AHV has carried out intensive extraordinary market checks: "two tonnes of unsafe food were seized yesterday and an additional six tonnes were seized today." He also reported broad enforcement activity between January and August this year.

According to the agency's figures, from January to August a total of 74 838 inspections were conducted, during which 69 776 kilograms of unsafe food from domestic trade and imports were destroyed. The AHV also says it prevented the import of 21 105 kilograms of unsafe non‑animal food products and returned shipments totaling 122 602 kilograms of food of animal origin to the countries of origin.

On the summer controls of meat and dairy, laboratory analyses of first, second and third samples confirmed these were safe and of acceptable quality. Milanov said the issues found at some producers related to incorrect labelling and minor technical deviations — for example differences in water content or fat percentage — which do not mean the food is unsafe.

Milanov described recent rejections of Macedonian fruit and vegetables by neighbouring countries — Croatia, Bulgaria and Serbia — as puzzling but explained each state protects its own market. "It is odd why they return consignments, but every country protects its market and production. We have already held high‑level institutional meetings and meetings with chambers of commerce and have agreed to be significantly more rigorous in both imports and exports. In the last two years we returned more than 650 tonnes of imported food," he said.

The AHV director urged consumers to check expiration dates, labels, nutrition tables and the organoleptic properties of products when buying. He also highlighted that more than a thousand initiatives were filed with the AHV's Consumer Protection Department during the eight‑month period, most concerning animal welfare and public health matters.

"Safe food underpins citizens' health, consumer trust and the sustainable development of the food sector. Our goal is not only to respond when irregularities are found, but also to raise safety through prevention, education and cooperation with all stakeholders," Milanov added.

He noted the AHV continuously inspects domestic trade and imports and cooperates with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Payment Agency, the Agency for Agricultural Development Promotion and other competent institutions. According to Milanov, ensuring food safety requires an integrated control chain from primary production through processing and distribution to the final consumer.

Photo: press material from the event