Food safety in Croatia among world’s highest, says HAPIH expert

Food safety standards in Croatia rank among the highest globally, according to Dražen Knežević, Director of the Food Safety Centre at the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH).

Speaking on national television news HRT, Knežević stressed that this assessment is based on evidence, highlighting a 40% drop in foodborne illness cases compared to the previous reporting period.

He said the decline demonstrates that the EU’s food safety system, including Croatia, is functioning effectively.

While recent product recalls, including a high-profile case involving contaminated baby food, have raised public concern, Knežević noted that such incidents do not undermine the overall system.

Instead, they show that monitoring mechanisms are working as intended.

“There is no such thing as zero risk,” he said, pointing to criminal activity and production errors as ongoing challenges. Authorities, however, respond promptly, removing affected products from the market and informing the public.

Responsibility for food safety lies primarily with producers, in line with EU regulations. Regulatory bodies, including Croatia’s State Inspectorate, oversee compliance, while errors within the complex food supply chain are identified and addressed through established procedures.

Knežević also highlighted a growing range of risks affecting the food chain. Climate change is playing an increasing role, with extreme weather patterns such as droughts, heavy rainfall and temperature fluctuations impacting agriculture and food production.

Biological threats remain a concern, including diseases such as African swine fever, which has significantly affected Croatia’s pig farming sector, as well as vine diseases and pests impacting fruit production.

In addition, chemical risks are becoming more prominent. Substances such as so-called “forever chemicals” and microplastics are now widespread in the environment and, increasingly, in food.

Knežević underlined the importance of strengthening domestic food production, particularly in light of global supply chain disruptions seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said maintaining strong national production capacity is essential not only for market stability but also for overall national security.