Creation of a National Authority on Food

The National Food Authority (Autoriteti Komb쵡r i Ushqimit) (AKU) will come into existence in the month of July, heralds the local press (Korrieri, Gazeta Shqiptare, Metropol, 14.07.2009, Albania, Sot, 15.07.2009). AKU’s existence and actions are expected to increase food security and food quality in the local markets.
Korrieri quotes Valbona Paluka, Director of Food Control at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Defense of the Consumer (Ministria e Bujq촩s묠Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes s롋onsumatorit) (MBUMK), suggest that AKU “is a new institution, brought about as part of the new law on food compiled at the beginning of the year, in compliance with European Union standards”. Metropol reports that the creation and the future action of the National Food Authority will be one of the challenges that Albania will face on the way to its entrance into the European Union. The newspaper estimates that the AKU is being brought to life two years earlier than expected.
“We are creating this Authority two years ahead of time, in order to quicken fulfillment of obligations and standards and open up the way for Albania’s integration into the European Union” reports Valbona Paluka. She explains that the AKU will be subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Defense of the Consumer (MBUMK). She states that the MBUMK will define policies in the field of nutrition security and defense of the consumer and the AKU will wear mostly the role of the inspector and controller to ensure security and defense of the consumers and to enforce food laws in the country.
The AKU will aim at keeping the elementary food chain under control, from the production phase to processing phase till the final product reaches the market and awaits consumption by the consumer.
Reinforced controls on food security
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Defense of the Consumer (MBUMK) has intensified controls on food security and food quality during summer days. “Food security is one of our priorities, because it is directly connected to the health of the consumers” – declare officials from this Ministry quoted by Metropol (14.07.2009). Controls in the 12 administrative districts of the country regarding either local or imported food, have not revealed any major threat to consumer health according to MBUMK officials.
Controls are reinforced in the tourist zones that are swarmed with holiday-goers as well as in more remote areas of the country. Seasonal threats to food safety may be numerous and during the last days segments of the whole elementary chain have been subject to controls, especially in the domain of products of animal origin, seafood and meat.
Sanitary inspections are also carried out by Health Ministry authorities and municipal authorities. The MBUMK is reported to be trying to develop working relations with foreign partners like the World Health Organization and the General Directory of Public Health of the European Commission.