Strict check of imported products

In Kosovo, suspicious quality products that have entered the Kosovo market have been repeatedly identified, but, according to representatives of the Veterinary and Food Agency (AVUK), such products are banned and fail to reach consumer hands.

Valdet Djindovci, chief executive at AVUK, tells Radio Free Europe, says that in cases of suspicious products which could be thrown into the market, it is announced through the European Commission's warning system.

This system, he says, helps to make sure that in no case suspicious products enter the domestic market.

And we think full responsibility that all food products, in this case which are imported, are subject to a detailed check on AVUK officials, by inspectors, and in this direction we are sure of products that we consume at our family tables”, Djindjic notes.

Finally, millions of chicken eggs in Europe have fled European markets because of the presence of the fironal insecticide, which has been discovered from many countries in Europe.

But that, according to Djindovac, Kosovo is not the importator of eggs and that this case has not affected the country.

Kosovo imports a small amount of eggs from countries in the region, as from Albania, but not from European Union countries and Kosovo is not affected and there is no concern for citizens or consumers in the case of eggs mentioned in European Union countries”, Djindov points out.

While competent authorities stress that all products are safe, nongovernmental organisations have sometimes presented their concerns about the questionable quality of products.

Ceatin Kachanic, leader of the Nongovernmental Organisation “Consumer”, casts doubt on the quality of products that enter the Kosovo market.

If we have in mind that imports are controlled according to the random specimen model, where every 17 specimens are checked if we refer to the citizen's level of pleasure, then the result turns out to be not at the right level. What officials say, they're in books, but what they do can only confirm citizens”, Kachanik points out.

Meanwhile, citizens surveyed by Radio Free Europe say they are not very sure about what they consume.

Citizen Bajram Bucolli says that poor products that are consuming citizens' health are not good.

The general selections are not original, food has been healthier in the past, nor have we had disease, and various diseases are now being presented”, he says.

Similarly, Avdiu is expressed.

A lot of things aren't looking at us, not safe, harmful to health. Why should we import products from other countries when we have our products”, he says.

Kosovo continues to be importative and nearly all products.

Total value annually of imported goods in Kosovo amounts to over 2.5 billion euros.

Kosovo, since 2004 has the law on consumer protection. This law defines, regulates and protects the basic rights of consumers during the purchase of goods.

The law provides health protection, environment, and consumer economic interests.