Milk with aflatoxin, the Processors Association reacts: Domestic production is being hit

The Dairy Processing Industry Association and the Dairy Farmers Association have reacted after the news that Albanians have consumed milk with aflatoxin, a dangerous and carcinogenic substance discovered in several samples of milk marketed for consumption.

They have rejected the NFA's statement and emphasize that there is currently no open case by the National Food Authority against the companies "Lufra" and "Erzeni" regarding aflatoxin issues.

The Dairy Processing Industry Association and the Dairy Farmers Association declare that the Albanian dairy industry, from farmers to processors, works every day in accordance with the highest food safety laws and standards.

They also emphasize that control processes include regular quality testing and immediate intervention in cases where the need for corrections is identified.

Full statement:

Regarding the news recently published on several media portals, we would like to clarify some important facts for the general public:

The Albanian dairy industry, from farmers to processors, works every day in accordance with the highest food safety laws and standards. Our control processes include regular quality testing and immediate intervention when the need for corrections is identified.

We emphasize that there are currently no open cases by the National Food Authority (NFA) against any of the companies mentioned in this news, related to aflatoxin issues.

In a market increasingly open to imported products, it is painful to see that from time to time the spread of unfounded news risks damaging the work and efforts of thousands of Albanian farmers and processors, at a time when support for local production is more important than ever.

As an industry and farmers, we reaffirm our commitment to safety, quality, and transparency towards every Albanian family.

What the AKU declared two days ago

The National Agency for Food Safety confirmed on April 26 that a quantity of milk and its by-products contaminated with aflatoxin M1, a carcinogenic toxin that is very dangerous to human health, was circulating in Vlora.

This institution in Vlora has confirmed the presence of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance, in several milk samples analyzed. Confidential sources close to it claim that out of 26 samples taken from January to April 2025, 10 of them have resulted positive and according to specialists, almost 40% of the milk tested was contaminated above food safety standards.

According to the AKU, there was information about a batch of milk that was also distributed in Vlora. Upon receiving the information, controls were launched in the city, where 10 samples were identified in the city's markets and supermarkets.

According to the AKU, during March, milk samples taken randomly in trade and production were analyzed. Based on the analyzes conducted at ISUV, some milk samples resulted in the presence of Aflatoxin M1. Present in milk, it is carcinogenic and genotoxic, while the risk is particularly high for children and regular consumers. The AKU emphasizes that the milk was immediately withdrawn from the market, but it is suspected that it was also consumed.