Moldovan government increases measures to protect consumers

Chisinau, 18 January /MOLDPRES/ – The Cabinet of Ministers approved today the draft law of informing consumers on food products. The document enhances measures to protect consumers’ health and ensure respect for their rights, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

According to the document, any food product, for individual consumers or catering establishments must necessarily be accompanied by information on product name, list of ingredients used, net quantity of its use by date, special storage conditions. The data should be indicated on the packaging and be easily visible.

At the same time, the document includes a list of food products that can cause allergies and list of goods which contain added specific ingredients. The market control on compliance of food labeling will be provided by the National Agency for Food Safety, and the new provisions will empower operators to ensure the quality of sold food goods. The document will be examined by Parliament.

Also today, the government approved a decision on the implementation of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed at the national scale. The measure provides immediate detection of direct or indirect risks to human health caused by food or feed.

According to new provisions, the authorities will ensure operative exchange of information on the risks identified and measures taken to combat them.

The Rapid Alert System will be managed by the National Agency for Food Safety, with the participation of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Customs Service and the Consumer Protection Agency.

(Editor A. Raileanu)