During the period 02 December – 12 December 2025, the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) carried out the first stage of control actions specific to the Winter Holidays period, inspecting 5,237 sanitary-veterinary registered/authorized units and 670 vehicles.

The purpose of these controls is to prevent the occurrence of foodborne illnesses and to limit the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus from restriction zones where the disease has been diagnosed, by combating illegal trade in pigs, pork meat, and pork products originating from infected animals.

The official controls were carried out by representatives of the County Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates and that of the Municipality of Bucharest, in the following types of units: agri-food markets, slaughterhouses and meat cutting units, processing and storage units for food of animal and non-animal origin, retail units (butcher shops, meat shops), public catering units (pizzerias, catering units, confectioneries, pastry shops, confectionery/pastry laboratories), hotel-type units and tourist guesthouses, fruit and vegetable warehouses, food stores, as well as other units marketing food products.

Results of the controls

Following the inspections, 514 contravention fines were applied, with a total value of 3,605,333 lei, as well as 287 warnings. In addition, 13 Activity Suspension Orders and 4 Activity Prohibition Orders were issued.

Among the main non-compliances identified and sanctioned were:

• Improper storage and labeling of food products;
• Marketing food products under inadequate hygiene conditions or in units not registered sanitary-veterinary;
• Failure to comply with the self-control program;
• Improper handling of food products;
• Products with expired shelf life displayed for sale;
• Failure to comply with legislation regarding packaging and labeling of products;
• Lack of documents attesting product conformity or traceability;
• Transport of food products using transport means not registered sanitary-veterinary;
• Staff without protective equipment.

As a result of these actions, over 26 tonnes of fruits and vegetables, meat products, dairy products, minced meat paste, fish, and pastry products, with a total value of 98,436 lei, were officially withdrawn from sale and directed to neutralization units.

Continuation of controls

ANSVSA will continue inspections to protect consumers and ensure compliance with sanitary-veterinary and food safety requirements, preventing any risks to public health, especially during this holiday period.

Dr. Alexandru Bociu, President of ANSVSA:“We will continue control actions across the entire country, alongside advising operators on compliance with sanitary-veterinary and food safety requirements. Where deviations are identified, we will apply firm sanctions, so that consumers are protected and products placed on the market are safe.”

Consumers are encouraged to pay attention to the products they purchase, to check labels and storage conditions, in order to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

For additional information, we invite you to consult the official ANSVSA website and follow the recommendations of the competent authorities.

Citizens may also call the ANSVSA Call Center free of charge at 0800 826 787, from any telephone network, to report irregularities in the field of food safety.

Communication and Documentary Logistics Service