Latvian Food Safety Authority Issues Alerts Over Contaminated Imports from Poland, Norway, and Uzbekistan
Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has flagged several imported food products for significant safety violations, including the detection of Salmonella and parasites, as well as regulatory failures in dried fruit shipments.
In a series of laboratory tests, officials identified Salmonella and parasites in poultry and fish products. Specifically, Polish-origin chicken winglets in a 500-gram BBQ marinade package (batch 2235044577) tested positive for Salmonella Infantis. Chicken fillet strips from Poland in 400-gram packages (batch 2273026647) were found to be contaminated with both Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Agona.
The PVD confirmed that these poultry products are no longer available for purchase as their expiration dates have passed. The discovery of these pathogens underscores the critical nature of stringent import controls to prevent foodborne illnesses from entering the local market.
Further safety concerns were raised regarding seafood imports from Norway. Laboratory analysis of two batches of mackerel—identified by batch numbers 25101831312-3217514 and 25091722513-3217328—revealed the presence of Anisakis sp. parasites. Retailers have since removed the affected mackerel from their shelves.
Beyond bacterial and parasitic contamination, the authority has also intercepted shipments of Uzbekistan-origin raisins and dried apricots. The PVD halted these batches after discovering “serious non-conformities” during inspection.
To ensure broader regional safety, the PVD has filed formal notifications through the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). This coordinated reporting system is vital for tracking contaminated goods across borders, allowing member states to take swift action against systemic supply chain risks.
