Following the recent scandal involving 8 tons of salmonella-contaminated chicken fillets imported from Brazil, concerns over food safety in Albania have deepened with another alarming case. Three shipments of strawberries from Greece have tested positive for dangerous pesticide residues, and are now under investigation by the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

According to official reports, one of the shipments entered Albania on April 1st and was found to contain Clofentezine, a pesticide used to combat mites on plants. This substance is banned in several countries due to its high toxicity.

Another shipment, imported on March 17th, contained residues of three different pesticides: Cyprodinil, Avermectin Bla, and Fludioxonil—all classified as high-risk to human health if consumed in significant quantities.

The third case, dated March 5th, revealed the presence of Hexythiazox, a pesticide known for its potential harm to the nervous and endocrine systems.

It remains unclear how much of the contaminated strawberries was imported and whether they were distributed to consumers. Albanian authorities have stated that the food business operator has notified vendors who received the product to return it.

This incident adds to growing public concern about imported food safety controls and calls for stricter monitoring and traceability measures.