Over 60 kg of food withdrawn from Belgrade markets due to the heat

More than 60 kilograms of food of animal origin were withdrawn from sale at Belgrade markets after inspections determined that high temperatures had increased the risk of spoilage. Controls have been intensified especially for meat, dairy products, eggs and fish, and citizens have been urged to be careful when purchasing and transporting sensitive foods.

Increased controls due to extreme temperatures

The Director of the Veterinary Inspection, Danijela Kozomora, explained that the summer heat is the reason for the intensified oversight because warm weather speeds up the spoilage and contamination of food of animal origin.

She warned: "In conditions of extremely high temperatures, we place special emphasis on the control of food of animal origin, because it is the most sensitive. We are present at sales points daily, carrying out regular as well as extraordinary inspections, mostly following reports from citizens. We appeal to consumers to be careful where they buy, what they buy and how they transport food to their homes. It is extremely important for the so-called cold chain to be as short as possible in order to reduce the risk of spoilage," Kozomora said.

Kozomora emphasized that these checks are not new, but this year they are more intensive due to the extreme weather conditions: "Every year, with the onset of summer and rising temperatures, controls of meat, milk, fish, eggs and dairy products are intensified because they require strictly controlled temperature conditions. Regular inspections are carried out throughout the year, but now they are additionally reinforced. In the last quarter alone more than 1,500 inspection supervisions were carried out, both regular and extraordinary, at sales points as well as in unregistered premises discovered following reports from citizens," she explained.

Inspectors point out that when irregularities are found, the products are immediately withdrawn and destroyed, and larger retail chains generally have a better-controlled cold chain compared to open markets.

In practical advice to citizens, Kozomora said: "I advise that food be purchased exclusively in registered sales outlets, where there is control over storage conditions. Consumers should check the label, the expiration date and the producer. If they are in a store, they can touch the product to check whether it is sufficiently cold. Attention should also be paid to appearance, color, smell, consistency, as well as the condition of the packaging. If they notice an unpleasant odor, a change in color, an unusual texture or damaged packaging, they should not buy that food, and any suspicion should be reported to the veterinary or sanitary inspection," she urged.

In conclusion, she called for responsibility after purchase: "The most important thing is always to read the label, check the expiration date and the storage instructions. During the summer period the biggest problem occurs when food is left in a car or stands outside the refrigerator for too long. Just a few hours at high temperatures are enough for it to become unsafe to consume. Therefore, we must all be responsible and take care of our own health as well as the health of others," concluded Danijela Kozomora.

Photo: press material from the event