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Food safety and nutrition initiatives in Balkans

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2026-10-16 09:13 UTC → 2026-10-16 15:24 UTC · added removed

In observance of World Food Day, health and food safety experts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia across Southeast Europe have focused on the importance of nutrition, food security, and the risks associated with modern food production. The regional theme, ‘Innovate Today. Feed Tomorrow’, emphasizes using technology to address global hunger. In Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Institute for Health and Food Safety held a conference titled ‘From Innovation to Health – How to Turn Knowledge into Safer and Higher Quality Food?’. While Muamer Mandra, director of the Institute, stated discussions in Zenica highlighted that while laboratory capacities are sufficient to ensure food is microbiologically and health-wise correct, specialists warned of risks from mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics. Concerns were also microplastics persist. Experts raised concerns regarding fragmented state oversight and disconnected registries. registries, while the Food Safety Agency of BiH noted a lag in adopting updated EU food regulations since 2022. In Pančevo, Serbia, the Institute of Public Health in Pančevo launched a campaign titled the ‘October – Month of Proper Nutrition’ campaign to prevent combat chronic non-communicable diseases through education. The initiative emphasizes the need for innovation Additionally, social support programs in food production and distribution Pirot provided meals to combat hunger, obesity, 450 users. Regional economic and agricultural trends show varied developments. In Croatia, food imports rose 9% to 5.62 billion euros, while exports reached 3.08 billion euros, alongside significant growth in domestic vegetable production. In Montenegro, officials stressed the impacts importance of climate change. Subsequent discussions in Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted that while technological advancements like smart agriculture and genetic sequencing offer potential solutions, industrial production risks remain. Experts noted that invisible dangers such as new-generation additives supporting domestic producers and high pesticide concentrations are linked integrating scientific research with agricultural practice to acute poisoning and ensure long-term oncological diseases. Despite these concerns, officials maintained that current data shows food in the country is microbiologically and health-wise correct, though non-compliant products remain subject to inspection. security.

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  1. 2026-10-16 15:24 UTC Food safety and nutrition initiatives in Balkans
  2. 2026-10-16 09:13 UTC Food safety and nutrition initiatives in Balkans

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