Kosovo clears Albanian tangerines for sale after pesticide tests

Dec 24, 2024 - Kosovo’s Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) has confirmed that tangerines imported from Albania are safe for consumption, following laboratory tests that found no dangerous pesticide residue.

Lamir Thaçi, an official from the FVA, said the batches met all legal food safety standards and will now be allowed on the market. "The shipments have passed all necessary safety criteria and will be released for sale," he stated.

The decision comes after several EU countries returned large shipments of Albanian tangerines, citing high levels of banned pesticides. The Albanian Food Safety Agency (AKU) reported the affected batches were destroyed.

Kosovo's FVA tested six shipments, including four from Albania, with results showing that the products meet EU standards for pesticide levels. Testing was in line with EU regulations governing pesticide residues, particularly for substances like Chlorpyrifos and phosmet.

Thaçi assured the public that despite initial alerts from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), Kosovo’s market had not been affected. "We acted quickly once concerns were raised," he said. "We will continue to monitor imports and ensure compliance with food safety standards."

Kosovo authorities will maintain oversight of all food products entering the country, ensuring they meet strict safety criteria.