New Decision to Enforce Food Labeling Conforming to EU’s Framework

TIRANA, July 23

Based on a recent decision of the Albanian government, all food processing businesses must include the nutritional value and allergens content in every product label. Starting the current year, every subject must comply with the required criteria given that in 2019 every product must include the origin of primary ingredients in the label. Therefore, it is aimed at preventing every attempt for fraud and to guarantee a consolidated tracking food system. This is the first and most important link in terms of food safety.
The decision was adopted during the latest meeting of the Albanian Council of Ministers. It aims at informing consumers about food qualities and components and thus to strengthen trust in the domestic market.
So far, the inclusion of nutrients and similar elements in the label was optional while the new decision forces food processing subjects to include them in products’ labels.
According to the report on Albania and the European Union enlargement strategy, Albanian authorities had to improve the respective legislation and to align it to EU requirements. Hence, the recent decision paves the way for meeting this recommendation.
All the products sold on the market can use the current labels for no longer than a year starting the day when the decision will enter into force.
News Source: TCh