VIDEO // National Food Safety Agency of Moldova destroys dozens of tons of non-compliant imported food products

More batches of food products imported into Moldova have been withdrawn and destroyed by the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA), after inspectors detected exceedances of the permitted limits for pesticides and other non-compliances that could affect consumers’ health.

According to ANSA, the most serious irregularities were found in imported batches of dill and parsley. Two batches, with a total quantity of 26,000 kilograms, were destroyed after laboratory analyses confirmed that the maximum allowable limits for pesticide residues had been exceeded, including for the substances chlorpyrifos and penconazole.

Inspectors also ordered the withdrawal and destruction of 132 kilograms of buckwheat, after detecting quantities of glyphosate above the permitted limit.

During the inspections, non-compliances were also identified in three batches of imported food products based on vegetable fats. According to the report issued by the Public Institution National Center for Plant, Animal and Food Safety, the respective products contained trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids other than those naturally present, which is contrary to the provisions of Government Decision No. 899/2017 on the sanitary regulation on the addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances to food products.

As a result, the authorities ordered conditional use for more products: 304 kilograms of a food preparation containing proteins and fats, 645 kilograms of a food preparation containing proteins and fats with a semi-hard paste, and 541 kilograms of a food preparation containing proteins and fats with a soft paste.

ANSA reiterated that it applies a “zero tolerance” policy to food products that do not meet safety requirements and stressed that importers are obliged to thoroughly verify both their suppliers and the compliance of products introduced into  Moldova.