Illegal fish repackaging, negligent hygiene in UAB Handelshus warehouse

In response to a report received, the Klaipėda District Supervision Unit of the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) carried out an inspection at the wholesale food warehouse of UAB „Handelshus“ in Kretinga. The company has been granted permits by the VMVT only for wholesale trade and repackaging of non-animal food, but the inspection of the warehouse revealed that the company was carrying out repackaging of fish, an activity for which it did not have such a permit. Inspectors found expired and untraceable foodstuffs, labelling irregularities, etc.

The inspectors inspected the premises of the establishment and found the following mislabelled products in a cardboard box in the cold room:  frozen, glazed, gutted Argentine hake (residue in the box 3.15 kg, while the weight of the original box was 19 kg.), the original packaging is damaged and the mandatory labelling label has been removed from the box.  The employee explained that the label was attached to the box by the buyer to whom part of the fish was sold. Frozen Atlantic salmon fillets (10.9 kg in total) were also found in another unlabelled box, but the employee provided a label roll which proved that the company was engaged in an activity not registered with the VMVT for repackaging fish.  The fish is sold in units, removed from the original manufacturer's packaging, and the labels applied to the fish by the company's storehouse staff.

According to the VVMT experts, repackaging fish under improper conditions increases the risk of bacterial growth. If the temperature is not properly controlled, the fish can start to spoil, causing health problems for the consumer. These activities are considered high risk and require a veterinary approval from the VMVT, which ensures that the operator meets the requirements and has the appropriate conditions for these activities.

Among other cases, foodstuffs were found which had already passed their expiry date without traceability, chain of custody, etc. It was also found that foodstuffs were not stored properly in the warehouse. Straw vegetables were placed next to fruit without any separation, resulting in pollination of the fruit and packaged products. There is a partial partition between the foodstuffs and the other foodstuffs, which is dusty and does not protect the stored foodstuffs from contamination. Used plastic containers with food residues are stored next to the foodstuffs, which are not washed and have an odour. Fruit and vegetables are stored near the sink in the washing area and floor cleaning cloths are hung on the sink. Fish is repackaged in the warehouse on the freezer without proper conditions.

The activities not authorised by the MoHFW have been banned. The person responsible will be subject to administrative liability for the infringements found.