Large food batches pulled from market for high trans fat content, ANSA
Over 13 tons of hazardous-to-health food products were prevented from reaching consumers' tables in the Republic of Moldova by inspectors from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA).
Several batches of imported products have been found to contain alarming levels of trans fatty acids, which are substances harmful to health. Laboratory results revealed that these levels exceeded the legal limit.
In the most concerning cases, products made with vegetable fats were shown to have trans fatty acid levels exceeding 37 grams per 100 grams of product, far above the legal limit of just 2 grams.
Additionally, other batches, including a 12-ton shipment of mixed fat products, also surpassed the allowed threshold.
Thanks to ANSA's intervention, all products that did not meet compliance standards were blocked before entering the market. The authorities have decided to ban these products from the domestic market and return them to the manufacturer.
ANSA representatives caution that excessive trans fatty acids can have serious health effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system. This emphasizes the importance of border controls in protecting consumers.
The specialists stated, “All future batches of dairy products and preparations that contain added vegetable or animal fats will undergo rigorous laboratory analyses, including sampling to assess trans fatty acids and foreign fats.”
On Wednesday, March 25, more than 10 tons of imported dried fruit were turned away at the border of the Republic of Moldova. Inspectors from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) found significant irregularities during physical checks at the checkpoints.
The batch consisted of a mixture of dried fruits—including apples, apricots, plums, and cherries—with a total weight of 10,500 kilograms. This shipment did not meet food safety requirements, as it displayed visible signs of mold.
