Croatia blocks Albanian agricultural shipments over toxins and pesticides

Croatian authorities have blocked two shipments of agricultural products originating from Albania due to high levels of contaminants. According to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), laboratory analyses revealed that a shipment of dried figs contained aflatoxin levels 375% above the permitted limit. Specifically, the concentration was found to be 47.5 micrograms per kilogram, exceeding the maximum allowed limit of 10 micrograms per kilogram.

The analysis also identified high levels of aflatoxin B1, a carcinogenic substance linked to liver cancer, which was 515% above the permitted threshold. Consequently, Croatian authorities ordered the destruction of the fig shipment.

Additionally, a shipment of red peppers was intercepted after testing showed residues of the pesticide chlorfenapyr at levels 420% above the maximum allowed limit. While the findings were reported through the RASFF system, there has been no public clarification from the Albanian National Food Authority regarding the verification processes used in Albania or any measures taken against the responsible parties.