Contaminated Strawberries Traced Back to Albania, Not Serbia, According to Ministry
Serbian authorities clarify the origin of contaminated frozen strawberries linked to EU food safety alerts.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Serbia has reported that recent contamination concerns regarding shipments of frozen strawberries originated from Albania, rather than Serbia, as initially indicated by European health alerts.
Through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), Serbian authorities were informed of the presence of formetanate residues in samples from a shipment that originated in Serbia but was exported from Slovenia.
Subsequent inspections revealed that the contentious shipment, amounting to 19,913 kilograms of frozen strawberries, was imported into Serbia on June 2, 2024. Upon importation, a laboratory analysis confirmed that the product complied with existing regulations.
Of the total quantity, 15,444 kilograms were exported to Slovenia and, from there, sent on to Belgium, while the remaining stock is currently stored at the importer’s facility in Serbia.
The Ministry emphasized that formetanate is an active substance authorized for use within the European Union, as well as in Serbia.
However, as of now, there are no registered plant protection products based on this substance available in Serbia.
It has been noted that the shipment of frozen strawberries has not yet been returned to Serbia, but if such an event occurs, it will be subject to inspections by the border phytosanitary authorities.
The agricultural inspection sector is continuing its oversight on the exporter and supplier, and if any irregularities are discovered, appropriate legal measures will be implemented.
Through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), Serbian authorities were informed of the presence of formetanate residues in samples from a shipment that originated in Serbia but was exported from Slovenia.
Subsequent inspections revealed that the contentious shipment, amounting to 19,913 kilograms of frozen strawberries, was imported into Serbia on June 2, 2024. Upon importation, a laboratory analysis confirmed that the product complied with existing regulations.
Of the total quantity, 15,444 kilograms were exported to Slovenia and, from there, sent on to Belgium, while the remaining stock is currently stored at the importer’s facility in Serbia.
The Ministry emphasized that formetanate is an active substance authorized for use within the European Union, as well as in Serbia.
However, as of now, there are no registered plant protection products based on this substance available in Serbia.
It has been noted that the shipment of frozen strawberries has not yet been returned to Serbia, but if such an event occurs, it will be subject to inspections by the border phytosanitary authorities.
The agricultural inspection sector is continuing its oversight on the exporter and supplier, and if any irregularities are discovered, appropriate legal measures will be implemented.
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