Chicken meat from Brazil, two suspected cases discovered! One product was blocked and the other traced after being sold

Meat imports from Brazil are under new control rules.

From 3 September 2026, Albania has implemented the European changes for the listing of beef and poultry meat, while products that do not meet the new conditions are not allowed to be imported.

This is what Minister Andis Salla declared to the Committee for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

“Implementation must be uniform, documented and accompanied by the checks that each shipment requires. Also, regarding the pork meat issues, communication has been taken with the Brazilian side regarding the review of trade relations. When an analysis shows non-conformity, or when a product presents a reasonable risk because of its expiry or its condition, the actions we take are clear: blocking, verification of the lot and of the distribution chain, withdrawal or return when needed.”

According to the Minister, each shipment must undergo checks and be documented at every link of the supply chain. In focus are also the checks carried out during this year, where two cases with residues of veterinary substances in chicken meat from Brazil were identified.

“In the two cases of chicken meat imported from Brazil during the January-August period, residues of veterinary substances were found. In one case, the quantity of the product had been blocked and isolated in the operator’s refrigeration facilities. The control data showed that the product had not reached the market. The RASFF and INFOSAN systems were notified for this case, while the product was returned to the country of origin. In the other case, the product had been sold before the completion of the verification process. For this reason, the tracing of the product and the notification of customers was requested, and the relevant administrative measures were taken.

In one case, the shipment was blocked before it reached the market and was returned to the country of origin.

In the other case, the product had entered the market before the completion of the verifications, and its tracing and the notification of customers were requested.

The authorities say that in cases where non-conformities are found, the products are blocked, traced and, depending on the case, withdrawn, returned or destroyed.