New Instruction, how will food products be traced since January 1, 2026

From January 1, 2026, all food products circulating in the Albanian market must contain an identification code known as « tears », which will be placed on the label to guarantee complete traceability in the food chain.

This measure comes as part of the new instruction “On the indicators or signs that identify the Lot to which a food product belongs11, published in the Official Journal, aimed at increasing food safety and compliance with European Union standards.

« This instruction aims to strengthen the food traceability system by setting up at different stages of the Lot food chain, formulated with identifying indicators with letters or numbers, enabling competent authorities and business operators to monitor and effectively manage food products, » the Ministry of Agriculture was quoted.

According to this instruction, each food product will have to have a unique indicator, formatted in letters or numbers, indicating the time and place of production, processing or packaging. This indicator will be preceded by the letter « L », unless the identification is clear without it.

The instruction provides for some exceptions to products that are traded without packaging, for very small packages or products intended for immediate processing. However, most of the pre -pre -pre -pre -pre -pre -preferences will have to be provided with this code.

Products that are labeled prior to the entry into force of the instruction will be allowed to stay in the market until the end of stocks, while the National Food Authority is tasked with monitoring this transitional process.

Article 1 1. This instruction aims to strengthen the food tracking system by placing at different stages of the Lot food chain, formulated with identifying indicators with letters or numbers, enabling competent authorities and business operators to monitor and effectively manage food products. 2. For the purposes of this instruction, « Lot » means an identifiable amount of a food product submitted at the same time and that has been produced, processed or packaged in the same conditions.

Article 2 1. Food products are marketed only if they contain the tear with the identification indicators referred to in Article 1 of point 1 of this instruction. 2. Point 1 of this Article shall not apply: a) to agricultural products, which, after leaving the farm, are: i. sold or submitted to storage, temporary preparation, preparation or packaging; II. are transported to manufacturer organizations; or III. are collected for immediate inclusion in a process of preparation or processing; b) at the point of sale to the last consumer, when the food products are not pre -prepared, packaged at the request of the buyer or are pre -sale; c) for packaging or containers, the largest side of which has an area of ​​less than 10 cm2; ç) In individual ice cream portions, the indicator that enables the Lot identification to be shown in the combined packaging.

Article 3 1. The Lot shall in any case be determined by the manufacturer or packaging of the food product, or the first seller in the Republic of Albania. 2. The indicators referred to in Article 1 of point 1 of this instruction shall be determined and placed under the responsibility of operators performing specific processes in the food chain. Indicators shall be preceded by the letter « L », except when it is clearly distinguished from other indicators on the label or packaging.

Article 4 1. In the case of the pre -pre -pre -pre -pre -pre -pre -codes, the indicator referred to in Article 1 of point 1 of this instruction, and where appropriate, the letter “l” shall appear on the packaging or on a label attached.

When food products are not previously packaged, the indicator referred to in Article 1 of point 1 of this instruction, and, where appropriate, the letter « l » is placed on the packaging or in the container or, otherwise, in the accompanying trading documents. 3. Indicators shall be placed in all cases in such a way that they are easily visible, clearly readable and indelible.

Article 5 1. When the label is set on the date of the minimum life or « be used up … », the indicators referred to in Article 1 of point 1 of this instruction are not placed on the food product label, provided the date consists of at least unpleasant indicators of the date and month while maintaining the order.

Article 6 1. Food products labeled before the date of entry into force of this Instruction shall continue to be marketed until the end of the stocks. The National Food Authority is charged to identify the stock amount of these products until their full sale.

Article 7 1. The General Directorate of Development in the field of Food Safety, Veterinary, Plant and Fisheries and National Food Authority shall be charged for the implementation of this instruction. The instruction shall enter into force after its publication in the Official Journal and extends its effects from 1 January 2026.

*This article was published by Monitor.al and reposted by Tiranapost.al