Customs in Tirana have blocked 2.1 tons of food products and children’s toys after irregularities in their labeling were found during inspections.
According to a statement from the Customs Administration, the shipment consists of 156,000 units of packaged food products and toys that lacked the mandatory information on the minimum shelf life or expiry date.
The irregularities were identified during a physical inspection of the goods, carried out as part of risk-based controls by the Tirana Customs Branch in cooperation with the Monitoring Sector at the General Directorate of Customs.
The absence of this information constitutes a violation of the requirements set out in Council of Ministers Decision No. 434, dated 11 July 2018, on food labeling and consumer information.
For this reason, customs authorities have ordered the blocking of the entire shipment and refused the release of the goods until verifications and legal procedures are completed.
Director General of Customs, Besmir Beja, has called for maximum engagement of the responsible structures to verify the case and pursue further legal action.
The Customs Administration states that controls will continue in order to prevent products that do not meet standards and legal requirements from being placed on the market, and to protect consumers.