Skopje, 18 January 2026 (MIA) — The Food and Veterinary Agency said Sunday that 22 food operators have been issued EUR 40,000 in penalties for misbranding or handling food in unsanitary surroundings during unannounced inspections at 188 food stores, retailers and manufacturers between Jan. 13 and 16.

"In 10 operators, inspectors found minor ​​food safety violations (inadequate refrigeration, unclear and illegible product labels, etc.) and issued warnings; and in two food stores, employees were discovered not to have hygiene certificates," release said.

At six of the inspections, inspectors found Good Manufacturing Practice violations and Good Hygiene Practice violations. Fourteen retailers were found to sell expired food items.

According to the FVA, over 253 kilograms of food — meat and meat products, dairy, candy and other items — were seized and destroyed as unfit for human consumption. mr/