Kosovo’s Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV) has identified 93 cases of non-compliance during intensified inspections of the dairy sector, including the detection of undeclared palm oil in several dairy products.
The inspections, carried out at border crossing points, production facilities, warehouses and local markets, focused on verifying product quality and protecting consumers and the domestic dairy industry.
Acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja said inspections had identified irregularities involving the use of powdered milk and substitute ingredients. He also raised concerns over suspected illegal water use at the Abrazen (Vita) company.
According to Muja, the main operators importing powdered milk include Abrazen and Drena, while inspectors also found cases in which powdered milk was used without being declared on product labels.
“The dairy sector faces three main challenges,” Muja said, pointing to imported finished products, the use of milk substitutes and attempts to replace natural milk fats with vegetable oils and fats.
AUV chief executive Bekim Hoxha said 93 cases of non-compliance had been identified through inspections and laboratory testing. Of these, 46 involved the declaration of palm oil, making it the most frequently identified violation.
Hoxha said that in 91 percent of the cases involving non-compliance, the relevant ingredients had not been properly declared on product labels. In some cases, products also lacked the required authorizations for the use of palm oil or powdered milk.
A total of 471 samples were analyzed. Of these, 381 samples were tested for fat content, 329 for protein content, 314 for fatty-acid profiles, 43 percent for the presence of starch and 9.6 percent for the presence of powdered milk.
AUV Laboratory Director Kujtim Uka said laboratory analyses confirmed the presence of palm oil that had not been declared on labels in several dairy products.
According to Uka, undeclared palm oil was detected in products from several companies, including Abrazen (Vita), Drena and Ajka SH.P.K., among others. He said the findings were based on samples collected during inspections at different dairy companies across Kosovo.
The authorities have indicated that the inspections are part of broader efforts to strengthen controls over dairy products, ensure accurate labeling and prevent the unauthorized use of substitute ingredients.
