According to a recently released audit report, most soft fruits exported from Serbia to Europe are not subject to official controls at primary production levels. DG Sante, the European Commission’s unit for policy on food safety and health, found official controls to address potential microbiological risks at primary production are only partly risk based and carried out at a low frequency.
There are also no official controls, such as sampling of produce, after freezing to verify compliance with EU food safety standards, and there is little official verification of the controls of processors or exporters. However, risks are reportedly mitigated as most of them are third party certified against international food safety standards and receive inspections and audits from EU importers.
In response, Serbian authorities said a plan of official controls covering microbiological risk in primary production will be created by the end of January 2020. Officials also said new rules adopted in the first quarter of next year will specify a number of samples of berries to be taken after freezing.
Past issues and import volume
The audit in Serbia in July 2019 assessed the official control systems on microbial contamination of food of non-animal origin (FNAO) for export to the European Union.
After several outbreaks traced to products from Serbia and due to the volume of imports, DG Sante decided in 2013 to assess the systems to control microbiological contamination in raspberries for export to the EU. Four recommendations were made about deficiencies in the system, the labs and follow up of Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications.
The audit this year found the control system has improved compared to 2013, and lab issues have been addressed. But, actions taken regarding the effective functioning of the system for RASFF notifications were not effective.
The 2019 visit reviewed controls on production, freezing and export, including national legislation, the organization and operation of Serbian authorities and their controls over food businesses’ compliance with hygiene rules applied during the production of raw and frozen soft berries.
