The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, together with the Food and Veterinary Agency, presented the results of an extensive inspection of the dairy sector on 04.08.2026. The data, published at 10:59, show that dozens of irregularities were identified, the most common involving the presence or non-declaration of palm oil in products.
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Food and Veterinary Agency Chief Executive Bekim Hoxha announced that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture between April and July 2026. According to him, the inspections were aimed at verifying food safety, product authenticity and compliance of labels with the legislation in force, as well as protecting consumers.
For this process, the Food and Veterinary Agency deployed its inspection and laboratory capacities across the country. A total of 495 samples were collected as part of the operation and tested for various authenticity and food safety parameters.
The analyses covered fat and protein content, the presence of palm oil and vegetable fats, as well as starch and powdered milk. Hoxha said the results had provided a clear, comprehensive and evidence-based picture of the actual state of the sector, describing the operation as one of the broadest and most comprehensive official inspections conducted in the dairy industry to date.
The inspections and laboratory analyses identified a total of 93 ingredient-related cases of non-compliance. The presence or declaration of palm oil was identified in 46 cases, accounting for almost half of all irregularities and making it the most common problem detected during the operation.
According to the results from the Food and Veterinary Agency’s laboratory, in more than 91% of non-compliance cases, ingredients were not listed on the label in accordance with the requirements of the legislation in force. Hoxha said that, as a result, consumers had not received complete and accurate information about the contents of the products they purchased. He stressed that palm oil, vegetable fats and other alternative ingredients must be clearly declared so that consumer information is accurate and transparent.
The Food and Veterinary Agency’s chief executive clarified that the inspections were not directed against producers but were undertaken to ensure transparency and consumer protection.
Acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja said the institutions’ aim was not to determine who was at fault but to bring the truth to light. He said findings must be supported by evidence, laboratory analyses, technical documentation and proper administrative procedures, which is why the inspections were conducted in a coordinated, documented and comprehensive manner.
According to Muja, official inspection reports in a democratic state are not an end in themselves but serve as tools for protecting the public interest. He underlined that institutions must not limit themselves to merely identifying violations, as they have an obligation to respond lawfully, proportionately and effectively.
Muja announced that the Food and Veterinary Agency’s report and findings would first be handled in accordance with the procedure provided for under the Law on Administrative Procedure. He said that, as of that day, a decision would be issued regarding the procedure for enforcing the law in the cases covered by the report.
The acting minister stressed that the Food and Veterinary Agency tests the production, operations and milk of Kosovo farmers. According to him, the quality of farmers’ milk is guaranteed through official inspections, and he described it as the best milk.
However, Muja said this quality is not always preserved after the milk is delivered, which is why the official inspections focused specifically on processors and distributors. He said that, according to the reports, some of them had betrayed the trust of farmers and consumers.
Muja said he had asked the Food and Veterinary Agency to act proportionately, taking into account the Republic of Kosovo’s vital interest in protecting consumers, public health, farmers and approved operations. He added that the country needs the production of milk and dairy products, while support should be provided only to approved operations and to partners or processors willing to cooperate with the Food and Veterinary Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Earlier the same day, at 09:31, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development had announced that, in cooperation with the Food and Veterinary Agency, it would organize a press conference to present the results of the official inspections in the dairy sector.
The announcement published on the ministry’s official Facebook page said the conference would begin at 10:00 and would be held at the Food and Veterinary Agency’s premises. The findings of the final report and the measures to be taken to protect consumers and strengthen food safety were scheduled to be presented during the conference.
Although the announcement about the conference was general, Kosovo’s dairy sector had received increased attention in recent weeks following concerns about the quality and labeling of some dairy products on the market.
The company Vita was at the center of the debate after the Food and Veterinary Agency conducted official inspections and laboratory analyses to verify whether its products complied with the legislation in force. The case had prompted numerous reactions.
The Vita dairy company had said its products met the standards and had repeatedly requested the publication of the laboratory results. The company had argued that transparency was in the interests of consumers and producers, while expressing concern that delays in publishing the results were damaging its reputation and consumer trust.
For its part, the Food and Veterinary Agency had explained that the official results could not be made public until all laboratory and administrative procedures had been completed. The agency had stressed that the inspections were conducted as part of regular oversight to ensure food safety and compliance with the legislation in force.
