Moldova, in cooperation with partners from Romania and Germany, is testing its capacity to respond to the food crisis
As noted in the EU-UNIDO project “Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring,” good preparation and the ability to respond quickly in a food crisis are essential for consumer protection. The National Crisis Center and the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) recently held a workshop on food emergency simulation. The authorities collaborated with partners from Romania and Germany, demonstrating how coordinated action and rapid decision-making can prevent risks from escalating. On December 4-5, more than 30 members of the National Crisis Center, including representatives of central agencies—law enforcement, health, justice, environmental protection, defense, and national laboratories—simulated realistic scenarios and practiced rapid, coordinated, and transparent responses. This capacity is vital not only for protecting public health, but also for maintaining consumer confidence. The workshop focused on four key elements: clear procedures for managing food incidents; coordination between national and European institutions; the use of rapid alert systems; and effective communication with the public in sensitive situations. The training panels were moderated by experts from EU countries, including Germany and Romania. A separate session was devoted to presenting the Romanian state's experience in managing food crises. Corina Ivanciu, representative of the Romanian National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), presented the Constanta County Emergency Action Plan, one of the best structured at the regional level, given its role as a strategic point of entry for agri-food products into the EU market. Corina Ivanciu noted that a food crisis is the most serious type of incident, as it directly affects consumers and activates central response mechanisms. "There have been no such situations in Romania precisely because of thorough preparation and a well-thought-out emergency action plan. I am honored to have the opportunity to share this approach here in Chisinau and to benefit from the valuable experience of my Moldovan colleagues," she said. In turn, ANSA Director General Radu Musteață emphasized the importance of the exercises, noting that strengthening the food risk management system is a national priority. According to him, the workshop, held with the participation of European partners, will help strengthen the alert infrastructure, clearly distribute roles, and increase the effectiveness of joint work. "The ultimate goal is the same: safe and healthy products on consumers' tables. We hope that, ultimately, these exercises will contribute to the development of a clear roadmap for the implementation of European requirements and a coordinated response in crisis situations, " he said. In turn, Ilona Grünewald, Head of the Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Safety Program at the European Union Delegation to Moldova, noted the strategic aspect of the training. "We are pleased to have experts from the European Food Safety Agency with us and to strengthen this partnership, which is important for Moldova on its path to joining the community of member states. In a context where emergency preparedness is a key priority for the government, cooperation between agencies is vital in the event of any food incident. The presence of our EU colleagues confirms that Moldova is not alone in this process—European support is strong and active," she said. Managing emergencies—from minor incidents to major food crises—is an integral part of modern food quality control systems. Early detection and effective response protect public health and reduce the negative impact on the economy and trade, both nationally and internationally. // 08.12.2025 – InfoMarket.
