Several European Union countries have halted imports of Albanian tangerines after pesticide levels exceeded legal limits. Croatia, Italy, Czechia, and Lithuania reported finding banned chemicals, including chlorpyrifos and phosmet, in the fruit.
Tests showed pesticide residues up to 12 times higher than EU regulations permit. Chlorpyrifos, which can impair brain development in children, and phosmet, linked to health risks, are both prohibited in the EU.
In response, Albania’s Ministry of Agriculture announced an investigation. The ministry pledged to strengthen monitoring and improve compliance with international food safety standards.
“We are addressing the issue with urgency,” the ministry said. “We are working closely with authorities to resolve the situation.”
The suspension could affect Albania’s citrus exports, which rely heavily on the European market. While the investigation is ongoing, the Ministry of Agriculture advised consumers to purchase tangerines only from trusted sources.
