Food safety inspections and misconduct in North Macedonia

Between July and August 2026, the Food and Veterinary Agency (AVV) in North Macedonia conducted 560 extraordinary inspections of ice cream and ice production facilities and hospitality venues. These enforcement actions resulted in 45 fines totaling 19,430 euros and 140 decisions regarding various irregularities. Authorities also destroyed 202 kilograms or liters of ice cream and ice deemed unsafe for consumption. Identified violations included unregistered food businesses, failure to conduct required laboratory analyses, improper product labeling, and sourcing ice from unregistered suppliers. Other issues involved employees lacking mandatory health checks, inadequate hygienic and technical conditions, lack of traceability data, and failure to implement mandatory disinfection and pest control measures.

In September 2026, the agency faced additional scrutiny regarding official misconduct. A 42-year-old food inspector is suspected of accepting a 250 euro bribe to falsify inspection reports and overlook irregularities at a business facility. The Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor's Office has requested pre-trial detention for the suspect.

Furthermore, the AVV has intensified controls on the economic operator Apetit following reports from Montenegro concerning approximately 103 tons of intercepted expired Brazilian beef. The agency is investigating import documentation, product origins, and distribution to ensure public health safety following the reports that the meat was destined for the Kosovo market.