Croatian authorities have blocked another shipment of food products from Albania, this time a quantity of pistachio cream (pistachio paste), after finding the presence of a poisonous toxin.
According to a notification published in the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), the shipment of "pistachio paste" or pistachio butter coming from Albania was stopped at the border by Croatian authorities due to the high presence of aflatoxin, a substance harmful to human health.
Samples for analysis were taken by Croatian authorities on September 8, and after laboratory testing, it was confirmed that the product contained high levels of aflatoxin, well above the limits allowed by the European Union. As a result, the entire shipment was destroyed.
The official announcement on this case was made public on October 3, 2025, so that other EU member states, which may have received the same product from Albania, can take measures to ban its trade and use.
This is the second case in a few weeks that a food product of Albanian origin has been blocked at EU borders due to inadequate food safety standards, raising concerns about quality control and certification processes in Albanian exports.
Aflatoxin is a natural toxin produced by certain types of fungi (such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) and can develop in agricultural products such as nuts, peanuts, and pistachios when they are stored under inappropriate humidity or temperature conditions. Consuming foods contaminated with aflatoxin can cause serious health problems, including liver damage and an increased risk of liver cancer.
