Inspections Targeting Non-Animal Origin Food Products: Over 10,000 Controls Conducted by Veterinary and Food Safety Authorities

The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) recently carried out extensive inspections in the non-animal origin food products sector, targeting food business operators involved in activities such as flour milling, bread and pastry production, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and other processed food products.

During the inspection period, the County Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates, along with the Bucharest Directorate, performed a total of 10,151 inspections across agri-food industry units. As a result, 173 warnings and 354 fines were issued, amounting to a total of 2,670,200 lei.

These actions are part of the ANSVSA’s 2025 Monitoring and Control Program, focusing on the following key areas:

• Compliance with registration, authorization, and operational requirements of food businesses;
• Proper maintenance and sanitation of food handling areas;
• Processing and storage conditions for raw materials and finished products;
• Traceability, labeling, and pest control requirements;
• Correct implementation of HACCP procedures and self-monitoring programs.

The inspections were primarily aimed at preventing consumer health risks and guiding food industry operators. Sanctions were only imposed when the observed deficiencies were not corrected within the set deadlines or when significant risks to food safety were identified.

Main Irregularities Identified

The most frequently observed non-compliances included:

• Personnel issues: missing aptitude certificates, lack of hygiene training, or failure to retain employee health records;
• Traceability and product conformity deficiencies: incorrect labeling, unsatisfactory lab results, or inappropriate packaging;
• Non-compliance with HACCP requirements;
• Poor maintenance of storage and production areas;
• Lack of appropriate hygiene equipment, such as changing rooms and sanitary facilities for employees.

As part of these inspections, samples were collected for laboratory analysis, in accordance with the procedures and guidelines of the National Monitoring and Control Program. The goal was to verify product compliance and ensure that maximum residue limits for pesticides, contaminants, and other banned substances were not exceeded.

Public Information

Consumers are reminded that they can report concerns or request food safety information by calling the ANSVSA Call Center at 0800.826.787. This is a toll-free service available from any network.