Croatia the border police stopped the shipment of corn starch, i.e. starch, from Serbia due to the increased level aflatoxin B1, dangerous carcinogenic substances.
European food rapid alert system (RASFF) issued a new warning for a product exported from Serbia to the European Union market, after exceeding the permitted level of this harmful substance was determined at the external borders of the EU.
It is about corn starch in which the Croatian border control found a higher level of aflatoxin B1 than allowed by law. The product is marked as potentially risky and reported through the RASFF system.
Photo: RASFF windowCroatia has issued a new warning about an illegal substance in food from Serbia
This is the third case since the beginning of 2026 that foodstuffs from Serbia have been marked as unsafe at the external borders of the European Union. They were previously discovered during January nickel in sauerkraut and mycobacteria in pie crusts.
What are the most frequently detected unwanted substances
During 2025, even 30 warnings for products from Serbia intended for the EU market. Among the irregularities found were hepatitis A and cadmium in frozen fruit, aflatoxin in soy flour, metal wire in gnocchi, as well as listeria in smoked salmon.
The most common reason for issuing a warning remains the presence of aflatoxin B1 - the most toxic form of this group of mycotoxins, which is considered carcinogenic and can cause serious liver damage and other long-term effects on human health.
Who is responsible for food safety?
For the quality and safety of food that is placed on the market and exported, producers, that is, subjects in the food business, are primarily responsible. They are obliged to ensure that their products meet all the requirements prescribed by law.
Control of food safety in Serbia is regulated by the valid Food Safety Law, and is carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, through competent inspections, as well as authorized and reference laboratories.
The law clearly stipulates that producers are responsible for the safety of food for humans and animals and must ensure compliance with all regulations enacted on the basis of that law. However, despite the existing regulatory framework, in practice it still happens that undesirable or prohibited substances are found in food.
New Law on Food Safety - still under preparation
The existing Law on Food Safety should soon be revised with a new regulation, which would introduce for the first time a system of faster notification and more effective response in the event of the appearance of unsafe food on the market.
The goal of the new law is to protect the health of consumers, strengthen trust in the food control system in Serbia, as well as further harmonization with the standards of the European Union.
The adoption of this regulation represents an important step towards the fulfillment of Criterion 1 for the opening of Chapter 12 - Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy, as part of Serbia's negotiations with the EU, which is part of cluster five.
The working version of the law is available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, but the final text has not yet been adopted, and the existing law is still being applied.
Law on official controls - already adopted
Unlike the Law on Food Safety, the Law on Official Controls was adopted at the end of 2025. Its goal is to establish a clear and unified system of official controls and other official activities in all stages of production, processing and distribution of animals and goods to which the law applies.
This law is also applied in the field of food safety, at every stage of the production and distribution chain. Its full implementation is expected in 2026, and it should enable stricter, more frequent and more effective controls, especially when it comes to products intended for export.
Who controls foodstuffs in Serbia and why goods are returned from EU borders
