The European Commission has confirmed that Serbia has significantly improved its official control system for plant-based food safety, and that controls in primary agricultural production now meet European Union standards, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management announced.
The aim of the expert audit conducted in Serbia in 2026 by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety was to evaluate how the official food hygiene control system functions, with a particular focus on preventing microbiological contamination in plant-based food production.
The audit included video conferences and visits to agricultural holdings, processing facilities, and laboratories, covering the production of fresh and frozen soft fruit and berries, as well as leafy green vegetables.
The report states that Serbia has established a legislative and institutional framework that enables the effective implementation of official controls and the management of microbiological risks in the production of plant-based food intended for the domestic market and export to the European Union market.
European experts assessed that the competent authorities are well-organised, that official laboratories deliver reliable results, that sampling procedures comply with international standards, and that the system for responding to European Union unsafe food notifications (RASFF) is appropriately established and operating effectively.
It was particularly highlighted that official controls in the primary production of soft fruit and berries have been significantly improved compared to the previous expert audit and now meet European Union standards, confirming that microbiological risks in primary production are being appropriately assessed and controlled.
At the same time, the European Commission provided recommendations for further improvement of the system, primarily concerning the additional professional training of inspectors in processing controls to enhance their knowledge of microbiological risks for ready-to-eat products, as well as the full implementation of the official control system in the processing sector for leafy green vegetables intended for export to the European Union.
In accordance with European Commission procedures, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management will submit comments on the Draft Report and prepare an action plan for implementing the recommendations. This will continue the enhancement of the official control system, further strengthen consumer health protection, and create even more favourable conditions for the unhindered export of agri-food products to the European Union market, the statement added.
(EUpravo zato)