Sale of fruit and vegetables in early stages of rotting at reduced prices observed in shopping centers

(Patria) - During inspections carried out as part of official controls in retail facilities, especially in larger shopping centers, the Federal Food Inspectorate has noted the occurrence of selling fruit and vegetables in the early stages of rotting at reduced prices.

"In this regard, we inform food business operators that, according to the provisions of the Law on Food ('Official Gazette of BiH', No. 50/24), when deciding whether a food is unfit for human consumption, consideration should be given to whether it is unacceptable for use due to, among other things, rotting, spoilage, or decomposition.

Bearing in mind that Article 12 of the Law stipulates that food in the stage of rotting, spoilage, or decomposition is health-unsafe, by placing it on the market and for public consumption for human nutrition, the food business operator does not fulfill the legally prescribed obligations related to self-control, good practice, etc.

We warn that the aforementioned Law also prescribes a penalty for placing unfit food on the market and for public consumption, namely from 25,000.00 to 100,000.00 KM for legal entities and from 1,250.00 to 2,500.00 KM for the responsible person in the legal entity, as well as for natural persons.

In the upcoming period, the Federal Food Inspectorate will take measures regarding the above and inform the public thereof via the website of the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs.

We appeal to business entities to align their operations with positive regulations and ask citizens to report observed irregularities via:

• the contact form 'Report an Irregularity' on the website of FUZIP,

• the reporting phone: 033 226 644 (open 24 hours),

• email: [email protected],

• by mail, to the address Fehima ef. Čurčića no. 6, Sarajevo", announced the Federal Food Inspectorate.