Albania’s 2026 food labeling reform takes effect
Starting from January 1, 2026, all food products circulating in the Albanian market must contain an identification code known as a "lot," which will be placed on the label to ensure full traceability in the food supply chain.
This measure comes as part of the new directive from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, titled "On the indicators or signs that identify the lot" of a food product. The directive has been published in the Official Gazette and aims to enhance food safety in line with European Union standards, CE Report quotes ATA.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the directive, “the new measures aim to strengthen the traceability system of food products through the placement of the lot at various stages of the food chain. This lot will be formulated with identifying indicators using letters or numbers, enabling competent authorities and business operators to effectively monitor and manage food products.”
"Every food product will be required to display a unique indicator, formatted with letters or numbers, indicating the time and place of production, processing, or packaging. This indicator will be preceded by the letter 'L', except in cases where identification is already clear without it,” the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development states in the directive.
Products labeled before the directive comes into force will be allowed to remain on the market until stock is depleted, while the National Food Authority (AKU) has been tasked with monitoring this transitional process.
