Inspection found that "Manja" bakery sold burek with traces of pork

(Patria) - The Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs (FUZIP), in response to increased public interest and frequent media reports, announced today that during regular inspections by the Federal Veterinary Inspectorate in the Sarajevo Canton area late last year, a supervision of the business entity "Krajina Klas" d.o.o. Banja Luka, Business Unit Bakery "Manja" Vogošća was carried out.

During the supervision, a number of irregularities and violations in the field of veterinary medicine were determined, for which prescribed measures were taken and penalties were imposed in accordance with the Law on Veterinary Medicine.

During the inspection, among other things, a product declared as "burek mini frozen", quick-frozen filo pastry with beef filling, net weight 160 gr (ingredients: water, wheat flour T-550, beef (38.60 percent), sunflower oil, soy flakes, salt, wheat gluten, pepper, flavor enhancer (monosodium glutamate), flour treatment agent E920), manufactured by "Krajina Klas" d.o.o. Banja Luka, was found.

For the purpose of laboratory analysis of quality and microbiological safety, and verification of the origin of ingredients (meat), samples of the product were taken during the inspection and sent to the laboratory for testing of residues and food quality, where screening using a non-accredited method detected the presence of pork protein in the burek.

Since the method used was not accredited, a sample of the same product was also subsequently sent for analysis using an accredited method (real-time PCR molecular analysis) to an accredited laboratory in the European Union, which confirmed the presence of pork DNA in the burek declared as a beef product, FUZIP announced.

The Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs states that they remain committed to protecting consumer rights and will continue to carry out regular and extraordinary inspections within their jurisdiction regarding the health and quality compliance of food and consumer products.