ANSVSA issues heavy fines for food safety violations in Romanian gas stations

The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) has conducted extensive inspections of food preparation and sales units located within gas stations in Romania. These checks aimed to ensure compliance with food safety standards, including the proper handling, storage, and disposal of animal by-products and household waste.

In a recent inspection phase conducted between July 1 and July 13, 2026, inspectors checked 240 units, resulting in 31 fines totaling 218,300 lei, 20 warnings, and two activity suspension orders. Other inspection periods have contributed to total fines exceeding 477,000 lei across 685 units.

Common violations identified include improper food labeling and storage, incomplete temperature monitoring, and the preparation of food items, such as sandwiches, without necessary sanitary-veterinary approval. Other issues noted were inadequate staff training regarding hygiene, incomplete self-control programs, and deficiencies in storage spaces, such as damaged flooring and a lack of refrigerated areas for non-human consumption animal by-products.