The Food and Veterinary Agency of North Macedonia has announced that it is inspecting all shipments of imported spring water from Kosovo after laboratory tests detected coliform bacteria in a water sample from the neighboring country, reports the Macedonian Service of Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL).

Several media outlets in North Macedonia published the agency’s decision, stating that the affected samples belong to the “Rugove” brand.

RFE/REL’s Pristina bureau contacted Visar Kelmendi, the owner of the Rugove company, who confirmed that sales in North Macedonia are continuing.

“There was an issue two or three weeks ago with a test analysis… Then, ten additional water analyses were conducted in North Macedonia, Kosovo, and a third country, confirming that there was no problem,” said Kelmendi.

RFE/REL also reached out to Kosovo’s Food and Veterinary Agency regarding the matter and is awaiting a response.